McCausland Lock Service - A Professional Locksmith for all your needs

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Weird names we frequently hear

We hear some weird things man.....

I'm sure anyone in a field working with mechanical parts hear some weird names for parts.

So lets learn some terms!!


Grabber handles

Okay, you are slightly right here. You do grab them when you use them. However, the proper term is a "Pitcher handle or handle set". While the history on when these locks first surfaced is a little sketchy, I can relay that decorative door hardware, including knobs, emerged after the Centennial Exposition of 1876 during the Victorian era. Chrissy and Luke are modeling one of our displays from the Emtek line


Nipples or Plungers

Everyday someone comes in looking for a plunger. Thankfully a nipple is not as common but still funny enough to make the list! When I first got asked for a plunger, I immediately thought the gentleman was lost "No Sir, you do not want us working on your toilet...." Thankfully he then went into explaination of what it was and I realized he was looking for a "latch". These are proprietary to each brand of lock and come in 2 different sizes, 2 3/4 & 2 3/8.


The Bottom Lock/Turner

So you aren't wrong here either, they do sit at the bottom typically and you do turn it. However, a "Lever or Knob" is what you're thinking about here! Different designs, but all the same term.


Jimmies

I may get fired for this one but just so you know even good old Betty Crocker calls them Sprinkles. The history of these colorful little waxy/sugary decor is sketchy. However, most sources confirm they were invented in the late 18th century.

Now for all you Jimmy calling folks, popular term for chocolate sprinkles in the Philadelphia, Boston and New England regions. While it's not really certain when they began it was first documented in 1930 by the Just Born Candy Company in Bethlehem. They claimed they invented them and named them after an employee.

I say all this to make you smile...though they are called Sprinkles ;)

I like my job, please don't fire me Tom <3


Drivers

They get called plungers as well occasionally, but these are for a deadbolt lock. The proper term is a "bolt". Like the latches these are proprietary to the maker and are typically adjustable for your door size.




"The round lock"

These are called a "deadbolt",  and no, I'm not speaking about the American rock band from San Diego.  These locks are actually the most secure lock on your door, and one you  unquestionable need to have working properly. 

Quandra, Boop-boop, Beep-beep, Bob, Fobi


This list could go on and on....

Believe it or not, it's really just called a "Key or Remote". Pretty simple!! But keep your weird names for them coming because they crack us up!!



Sounds like something you find in the sewer... What you mean is Schlage, pronounced"Sh-lay-eg". Named after Walter Schalge a German-American Engineer.

Shhlodge

Sounds like something you find in the sewer... What you mean is Schlage, pronounced"Sh-lay-eg". Named after Walter Schalge a German-American Engineer. 

There ya have it. The most common weird things we hear parts called. Hope I learned ya something today!