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From World Wide Words, I discovered it dates back to the 1920s-1950s when beer traditionally came in bottles or cans that needed to be opened by a device that in the minds of some resembled an ornate church key. For more information, here is the site: http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-chu2.htm
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∙ 16y ago
Bottle openers are sometimes called "church keys" because in the past, many beer and soda bottles were sealed with a cap that required a tool to open, similar to how a key opens a lock. The term may have originated from the idea that having a bottle opener on hand was as important as having a key to enter a church.
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How do you spell keys as in I left my keys?
That is the correct spelling of the plural noun "keys."The sound-alike word is the noun quay (dock, wharf).(The term "Florida Keys" comes from the similar Spanish word cayo, which is cays or isles.)
What is keys in French?
"Keys" in French is "clés".
Is this correct 'I did not hide the keys'?
Yes, the sentence "I did not hide the keys" is grammatically correct.
What is the plural possessive for key?
The plural possessive for "key" is "keys'".
What is correct in sentences Who has or Who have?
The correct form is "Who has" when referring to a singular subject, and "Who have" when referring to a plural subject. For example, "Who has the keys?" and "Who have the keys?" would be correct based on the number of keys being referred to.
Why was the beer bottle opener called a church key?
It has always struck me that the term "church key" as a reference to a bottle open has absolutely nothing to do with either the Church or a key. Rather, I believe that the term is a distortion of the rather unusual word "tchotchke" which is a trinket of any sort, and generally used to refer to an advertising or promotional gadget. Bottle and can openers (tchotchkes) were once given away by beer brewers and distributors, as well as gas stations and other businesses. They were intended to do what any advertisement is supposed to do: keep the product name in the customers' attention. "tchotchke" is not a well known word, but it does sound a lot like "church key." This confusion may have come about intentionally (somebody knew the word but intentionally distorted it, perhaps because they couldn't spell it) or unintentionally (somebody heard the word said properly, didn't know the word, and repeated it the way they thought they heard it as "church key.") In any event, I have read that can and bottle openers are called "church keys" because of their resemblance to key that the clergy carry or carried around with them. Take a look at a can opener, then take a look at a key. Judge for yourself how much resemblance there is. It is much easier for me to believe that the term "church key" comes from something that sounds similar ("tchotchke") than from something it is said to resemble, but does not.
Where did the phrase church key bottle opener get its start?
It has always struck me that the term "church key" as a reference to a bottle open has absolutely nothing to do with either the Church or a key. Rather, I believe that the term is a distortion of the rather unusual word "tchotchke" which is a trinket of any sort, and generally used to refer to an advertising or promotional gadget. Bottle and can openers (tchotchkes) were once given away by beer brewers and distributors, as well as gas stations and other businesses. They were intended to do what any advertisement is supposed to do: keep the product name in the customers' attention. "tchotchke" is not a well known word, but it does sound a lot like "church key." This confusion may have come about intentionally (somebody knew the word but intentionally distorted it, perhaps because they couldn't spell it) or unintentionally (somebody heard the word said properly, didn't know the word, and repeated it the way they thought they heard it as "church key.") In any event, I have read that can and bottle openers are called "church keys" because of their resemblance to key that the clergy carry or carried around with them. Take a look at a can opener, then take a look at a key. Judge for yourself how much resemblance there is. It is much easier for me to believe that the term "church key" comes from something that sounds similar ("tchotchke") than from something it is said to resemble, but does not.
Does Israel hold the keys to Church of the Resurrection?
No. The keys are held by Muslim families since 1187. The keys were given to the families to protect the Church when the Crusades started.
How a bottle jack works?
Bottle openers are simple levers. Whether they are cap lifters or twist top removers, they allow the operator to apply a force on the end of the lever to either pry or torque the cap off. Simple and easy.
What are keys to keeping water clean?
drink the water from the bottle and don't spit any water back into the bottle
What are the flute keys called?
Keys
What is the origin of the term 'church key'?
According to phrases.org: monks at medieval breweries wore the keys to the rooms where the monastery rooms where they locked recipes, on their belts--since the brewery often supported the brothers, and say in turn supported/worked for the church, these keys became known as 'church keys'
How can you clean the organ keys in which nail polish was spilled?
There is a solvent that is marketed specifically for the purpose of removing nail polish, which is called nail polish remover. It works. Buy a bottle.
What is a group of keys called?
Collective nouns are a bunch of keys, a ring of keys, a set of keys.
What are the keyboard symbols called?
Keys - as in a board of keys = keyboard
Does Alicia Keys have any songs that are church like?
kind of
What are the up and down keys called?
up and down keys ;)
