marlinspike

created by geeklizzard
(thing) by geeklizzard (4.4 y) (print)   (I like it!) Wed Mar 28 2001 at 20:51:20

A marlinspike, or fid, is a nautical term; it's a tool used to separate the strands of a rope while splicing. It is a long smooth cone shaped piece of wood or metal.

If you look at a picture of a marlin -- a fish with a long pointed spike of a nose -- then it is clear where the name came from.

(place) by Tiefling (8.6 mon) (print)   (I like it!) Wed Oct 31 2001 at 12:18:31
In the English translations of the Tintin books of Hergé, Captain Haddock's house, called Moulinsart in the French editions, is known as Marlinspike.

See also: Belaying Pin
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