Can You Name These Common Items?

A lot of people go through their day not thinking about the items that they use. Believe it or not, almost everything we use has a name and we never even consider it. What do you call the metal at the end of your shoelaces? Or the device used to measure your shoe size? Read more to find out!

Zarf

That cardboard sleeve that you put around your hot coffee cup wasn’t always around. It was invented by Jay Sorenson in 1991. Now we can’t imagine our coffee cups with them!

Aglets

Have you ever wondered what the metal or plastic tips on the end of your shoelaces were called? They’re called aglets and they’re to keep your laces from fraying over time.

Barm

Nobody likes getting a foamy beer. That foam at the top is called barm. It’s actually yeast that is formed in the fermented malt liquor.

Ferrule

That metal piece on your pencil that separates the eraser from the wood is called a ferrule. It was invented in 1858 and has been put on pencils ever since.

Nurdle

There is a name for that little dab of toothpaste you put on your toothbrush in the morning. It’s called a nurdle! Who would have thought?

Columella

When people say that they are getting their septum pierced, they are referring to the wall that separates the left and right nostril. However, the piece of skin on the outside of your nose in the middle is called a columella.

Ideo-Locator

Did you know that the little arrow that marks your location on a map actually has a name? It’s called an ideo-locator! Next time you’re lost in the mall, you can refer to it by name now.

Box Tent

That little plastic “table” that keeps the top of your pizza box from smashing your pizza is called a box tent. It has saved millions of pizzas from getting smushed over the years.

Octothorpe

What is known as the “hashtag” symbol today is actually called an octorhorpe. It’s been on the keypads of phones for decades. It’s also referred to as the pound symbol sometimes.

Barnnock Device

Growing up, you probably hated shoe shopping and having your foot measured in that cold metal contraption. Well, that cold metal contraption is called a Brannock device. It was invented in 1925 and has become a staple in all shoe stores.

Punt

That little indentation at the bottom of a wine bottle is called a punt. It is there to keep the bottle balanced when sitting on a flat surface.

Agraffe

That twisted metal cage around the cork of a sparkling wine is called an agraffe. It is to keep the cork in place and prevent it from shooting off the bottle as the wine ferments.

Armscye

You’ve probably never thought that the hole you put your arm through in a t-shirt is called, right? Well, we’re here to teach you that it’s called an armscye! Don’t be afraid to show off that fun fact to your friends.

Pips

Those little bumps on the ping pong paddles are known as pips. If you are a professional ping pong player, then you know the shorter pips are better for controlling the ball.

Locker Loops

Back in the 1960’s the little loop on the back of a man’s dress shirt was called a locker loop. This is there so you can hang up your shirt without it getting wrinkled while you go to the gym on your lunch break.

Cornicione

That outer crust on your pizza has a fancier name than just the crust. It’s called a cornicione and it’s almost never eaten.

Snellen Chart

The chart that you use at the eye doctors to test your sight is called a Snellen chart. Hermen Snellen, a Dutch ophthalmologist invented it in 1862 and it has become a staple in every eye doctor’s office ever since.

Tinnitus

Have you ever had a ringing in your ears that sounds tinny and can be super annoying? It’s called tinnitus and there is no controlling on when it comes or goes or how loud it is.

Obelus

The sign that we use for division problems is actually called an obelus. Unfortunately it had to be different than the “plus” and “minus” signs.

Purlicue

When you make an “L” shape with your hand, you’ll notice there is a space between your finger and thumb. This is known as a purlicue.

Glabella

You probably never thought that the space between your eyebrows has a name. It’s called a glabella.

Lunula

When see a little crescent shape near your cuticles on your nail, it’s known as a lunula. It’s actually very useful because if you notice that it’s pretty prominent, then it’s a sign that you aren’t taking care of your body.

Chanking

All inedible pieces of a fruit are called chankings. That includes pits, skins, and seeds.

Griffonage

When someone’s handwriting is so terrible that it’s impossible to read, it can be referred to as griffonage. Or you can call it by the common term “chicken scratch.”

Soufflé Cups

Those little condiment cups at fast food restaurants are actually called soufflé cups, which sounds pretty fancy for what they are. A neat trick to know is that you can expand the cups by pulling at the edges so it’s easier to dip your fries.

Rascette Lines

If you look at your wrists, you’ll notice there are some horizontal lines below your palm. These lines are called rascette lines and form over time from bending your wrists constantly.

Phloegm Bundles

If you’ve ever eaten a banana, you’ll probably have noticed the long strings that easily peel off of it. Those strings are called phloegm bundles.

Keeper

Even that little loop on your belt has a name! It’s called a keeper and you can probably already guess why. It’s to keep the remaining length of the belt in place.

Philtrum

That little groove above your lips and beneath your nose has a name. It’s called a philtrum and it’s unique to every person.

Muntins and Mullions

When you look at a window, you’ll notice there are two different sets of lines. The Muntins separate the panes of glass and are usually made out of wood or metal. Mullions are the strips that divide the actual windows from each other.