Cut the purse strings

I used this phrase the other day (in reference to my husband taking my money away) and I wondered if it was in reference to oldtime pickpockets who used to physically cut a person's purse strings - thereby taking their money?

Whaddayathink?

Cutting the purse strings means to stop giving financial support to someone or thing.

Another similar expression is "cutting the apron strings" which means, similarly, to end some type of support, either emotional or financial.

If you look at the "strings" concept as a sort of lifeline then the meaning may be clearer.
Maybe someone else can provide more detail.

Before modern times, when clothing did not have pockets as part of the design, a pocket was usually a cloth bag or leather pouch - often tied to the belt at the waist. if it contained money then it was known as a purse. one form of highway robbery was to be a 'cut-purse' and carry a sharp short-bladed knife (like a pruning hook) which could be used to cut purse strings and a skilled person could do this without alerting the victim - usually by distraction - either themselves or by an accomplice. the purse strings were simply the cords with which a purse was tied to the belt. it became an obvious metaphor 'to cut the purse strings' meaning to deprive of finance.

apron strings - I think it was a custom to use the strings of an apron as 'reins' for small children. so to cut them was a sign of going from a dependent to more independent child.