“Church key” is slang for a can opener or bottle opener. The phrase originated in the 1920s as a reference to a tool that was initially used to open tin cans of food, which resembled an old-fashioned church key (a large metal key used to enter churches).
Since then, the phrase has evolved to refer to any type of can or bottle opener, even though modern openers do not resemble church keys.
Why are paint can openers called church keys?
The term ‘church key’ is an old-fashioned name for a type of tool used to open cans or bottles. The tool is so named because it resembles the large metal key used to open the door of a medieval church or monastery.
It was also nicknamed the flatiron due to its flat end for prying lids off of cans. During World War II, US military personnel started referring to the tool as a church key since its design made it especially useful for cracking open C-rations.
The name stuck, and to this day, people still refer to the common bottle opener-can opener combination as a church key.
What does a bartender use a church key for?
A church key is a multifunctional tool primarily used by bartenders to open bottles of beer and other canned beverages. It is a small, flat device, usually made from metal or plastic, with two ends that provide two different functions.
One end is designed with a triangular-shaped piece of metal attached to a handle, which is used to puncture holes into the top of a beer can. This is referred to as the opener end. The other end is usually a flat, razor-like blade that is used to pry off the caps of beer bottles.
This is known as the lever end. A bartender may use a church key to open bottles and cans of beer, while also being able to open cans and bottles of soda, juice, and other alcoholic beverages.
How do you use a church key?
A church key is a device that is used to open canned beverages and other containers. It has one sharp point at one end and a slightly curved or “church” point at the other. To use a church key, first make sure the sharp end is pointing away from you.
Place the sharp end at the edge of the can and slightly press down so it pokes through the metal. Next, use the church end of the key to lift up the lid and create an opening. Be careful when doing this as the lid could be sharp and cause cut your fingers.
Finally, use the church end and wiggle it around the edge of the can to open the lid. Be sure to open the lid slowly, as the escaping air pressure could cause it to burst. After opening, you can enjoy your drink or other contents.
Why is it called a bar key?
The word “bar” in the phrase “bar key” has a few different meanings. It can refer to the tool itself, which looks like a metal bar with a key-shaped head that you use to open locks. It can also refer to the process of using the tool to open a lock, such as a door or a safe.
Finally, it can refer to the locking mechanism being opened by the tool, which is known as a “bar lock. “.
Typically, bar keys are used to open doors that use a “bar latch,” a type of lock in which a metal bar, which is mounted to the side of the door, engages into a locking mechanism inside the door frame.
To open the door, you insert the bar key into the keyhole, apply pressure and turn it in the right direction, which will move the metal bar and unlock the door.
The phrase “bar key” originated in the early 19th century and was used almost exclusively to refer to this type of tool. It was just one of many words coined during this time period in order to describe new tools, machines and processes.
When was the church key invented?
The church key, a bottle opener shaped like a cross with a sharp point on one end, was invented in the late 19th century. This tool was used to puncture a tin seal on beer and soda bottles, allowing the contents to be accessed and consumed.
The origin of the invention is unclear, but is often credited to a German shopkeeper named Gustav Emil Meyer, who is said to have created it in 1892. This early church key was made of hardwood, with a metal strip on one end and a wooden knob at the other end.
Meyer had his design patented in 1897 and was the first to manufacture it in Germany. Over time, the church key has evolved and is now made from a variety of different materials, including stainless steel and aluminum.
It can also be found in multiple sizes and with different means of opening the bottle. Today, the church key is a popular beer-accessory, with many businesses and craft breweries offering it as a branded, promotional item.
What is an old can opener called?
An old can opener is often referred to as a “church key,” which is a term that dates back to the early 1900s when beer was often sold in containers that needed to be opened with a device featuring a flat, triangular head and a sharp point.
As beer cans evolved, so did the design of the can opener, but the term “church key” has endured. Church keys were also sometimes referred to as “a soldier’s tool,” as they were a common item in army rations, and some companies even trademarked the slogan “open with a key like a soldier.
” The church key is still used today for opening canned goods or punching holes in items such as paint cans or small containers.
What is the pointy end of a bottle opener for?
The pointy end of a bottle opener is used to puncture the cap of a bottle, breaking the seal and allowing you to open the bottle. The pointed end of a bottle opener is typically inserted into the small hole at the top of the bottle cap and applied with pressure to “pop” it open.
When using a bottle opener, it is important to exercise caution and to avoid using too much force, as puncturing a bottle too aggressively can send shards of glass flying when it is opened.
Why does a bottle opener have two sides?
A bottle opener typically has two sides in order to provide different levels of leverage when opening a bottle. One side of the opener is typically a “church key” with a point that can be used to puncture the bottle cap.
The other side is usually flat and can be used to pry the cap off the bottle. Using the two sides together provides maximum leverage to open the bottle safely and easily. The two sided Opener allows you to use the correct leverage to open different bottle sizes without having to use extra tools, which makes it a convenient tool for those who drink different types of drinks in bottles.
Where did church key come from?
The term “church key” is thought to have originated from the 1800s when churches commonly had a large brass key that opened the door to the church, a feature which was necessary to protect religious artifacts and other valuables that the church housed.
The term is also believed to have been used to describe an opener used to tap the bung out of barrels of beer that were delivered to pubs and other establishments. It was a common tool carried by bartenders, brewers, and even parishioners.
The shape of these openers resembled the shape of a church key. Today, church key is used to refer to an opener with two pointed ends, usually made out of metal, which is often used to open beer, soda, and other canned drinks.
The openers are commonly found at stores and even pubs, allowing patrons to take one home with the purchase of a drink.
Who invented the church key?
The invention of the church key is generally credited to either Charles Underwood or William Russell. Both men received patents in the late 19th century for tools used to open the tops of bottles and tins.
Charles Underwood, a blacksmith from Vermont, was the first to receive a patent in 1892, creating an opener with a pointed end and a flat top with a hole in it. William Russell, a machinist from North Carolina, was the second to receive a patent in 1897, creating an opener with an arched top, resembling an old-fashioned church key.
While Underwood’s opener was designed to open only bottle tops, Russell’s opener could open both bottle tops and the tops of tins. Both Underwood and Russell’s creations were marketed commercially, making them the two main contenders for the title of “inventor of the church key.
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What is the oldest bar in the Keys?
The oldest bar in the Florida Keys is the Green Turtle Inn, located in the town of Islamorada. Opened in 1953 by Lou and Gusta Walburger, the Green Turtle Inn is known for its casual atmosphere and seafood specialties, making it a beloved institution in the Keys.
The bar is a favorite among locals, who often stop in to enjoy a cold beer and chat with old friends. The Green Turtle Inn is also a popular spot among tourists who come to experience the Keys’ relaxed vibe and fresh seafood – the restaurant serves a variety of dishes, including grouper sandwiches, conch chowder, fried clams, and its signature Key lime pies.
The rustic interior, its original mahogany bar seating, and the vintage Keys memorabilia on the walls give the bar a distinctively old-fashioned feel. The Green Turtle Inn has been featured in numerous travel magazines, newspapers, books, and even on the TV show “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
” Though it has been through several renovations over the years, its classic charm remains intact.
Why do they call them Keys in Florida?
The use of the term “Keys” to refer to the islands off the southern coast of Florida is derived from the Spanish phrase “cayo,” which translates to “shoal” or “keys” in English. The Keys are a group of limestone islands that were formed over centuries as oceans currents and waves deposited sediment offshore, resulting in islands that form a chain of raised mounds from the mainland to the Florida Reef.
Many of the Keys are connected to each other via bridges, such as the Overseas Highway, which is the longest bridge in the United States. The Keys are known for their sandy beaches, warm waters, and tropical climates.
Notable attractions in the Keys include Key West, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and the Dry Tortugas National Park. The Keys are also home to many species of birds, fish, marine mammals, and other wildlife, some of which are only found in the area.
The term “Keys” has become associated with the island chain due to its distinct geography and rich wildlife, providing visitors with an excellent opportunity to explore and observe the beauty of the region.
What does the slang term church key mean?
The slang term “church key” is an old-fashioned term for a bottle opener, so named because of its resemblance to an actual church key – an elongated key commonly used to unlock church doors. The term is most commonly used in North America, and is believed to have originated in Toronto, Canada in the 1940s.
It has been used in popular culture to refer to either a bottle opener or a multi-tool with a bottle opener attachment, with usage of the phrase appearing in print as early as 1948.
Why do keys represent St. Peter?
Keys represent St. Peter because their symbolism dates back to the New Testament and the story of the “keys to the kingdom of heaven”. In the Bible’s Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Christ is said to have handed two keys to Saint Peter.
This gesture is said to signify that Jesus had given Peter the authority to open or close the gates of holiness, or the heavenly kingdom. This parable was further pronounced by medieval theologians and is still today viewed as a sign of the power a pope or an earthly gatekeeper, such as a castle guard, holds.
As such, keys are seen as a representation of the power of St. Peter’s spiritual authority. Moreover, an illustration of this symbol can be found on certain official Catholic Church documents, such as the papal seal.
Therefore, when inspecting the symbolism of keys, it is easy to understand why they represent St. Peter.