Dictionary Definition
aglet
Noun
1 metal or plastic sheath over the end of a
shoelace or ribbon [syn: aiglet]
2 ornamental tagged cord or braid on the shoulder
of a uniform [syn: aiglet, aiguilette]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Alternative spellings
Extensive Definition
An aglet or aiglet is a small plastic or metal
sheath on the end of shoelaces (or any type of
lace, though shoelaces are the most commonly referenced), which
keeps the twine from unraveling and makes it easier to feed the
lace through the eyelets.
The word "aglet" (or "aiglet") comes from Old
French "aguillette" (or "aiguillette"), which is the diminutive of
"aguille" (or "aiguilee"), meaning "needle". This in turn comes
from "acus", the original Latin word for needle.
Although aglets today are almost always made of
clear plastic, in times past aglets were usually made of metal,
glass, or stone. Many were highly ornamental, and made of precious
metals such as silver. Before the invention of
buttons, they were used
on the ends of ribbons to
fasten clothing together. Sometimes they would be formed into small
figures. Shakespeare
calls this type of figure an "aglet baby" in
The Taming of the Shrew. (See aiguillette
(ornament).) Purely decorative metal ornaments called aiguillette are sometimes
features of modern military dress uniforms.
In popular culture
- In the Justice League Unlimited episode "Question Authority", The Question says: "The tips at the end of shoelaces are called 'aglets'. Their true purpose is sinister."
- In the CSI: Miami episode "Going, Going, Gone" an aglet found at the scene of the crime is used to identify the perpetrator.
- In an Archie comic, Jughead is asked: "What have you got there?" He replies: "A bag of aglets."
- In the 1988 film Cocktail, the character played by Tom Cruise speculates about the inventor of the aglet, receiving the reply: "Hmmm. It's probably got one of those weird names too like - aahh, 'flugelbinder'".
- In an episode of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, London asks Maddie if one could buy the "little thing" found on the tips of shoelaces, for which the appropriate term is unknown. Maddie then responds, "You mean an aglet?"
References
External links
aglet in Dutch: Aglet
aglet in Swedish: Dubb
(skosnören)