Why do Brits call it a spanner?
‘Wrench’ is derived from Middle English wrench, from Old English wrenċ, from Proto-Germanic *wrankiz (“a turning, twisting”). First used in 1790. ‘Spanner’ came into use in the 1630s, referring to the tool for winding the spring of a wheel-lock firearm.
What does it mean to call someone a spanner?
(Britain, Ireland, mildly derogatory) A stupid or unintelligent person; one prone to making mistakes, especially in language. You spanner, Rodney!
Is spanner in English word?
Chiefly British. a wrench, especially one with fixed jaws.
What does wrench mean in England?
wrench in British English (rɛntʃ ) verb. to give (something) a sudden or violent twist or pull esp so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached.
What do Brits call an escalator?
This one is consistent. Both use escalator for a moving stairway. Americans call the box that goes up and down in a building (which is the safest form of transport in the world judging on miles covered) an elevator, the British call it a lift.
What does at the drop of a dime mean?
Filters. (idiomatic, slang) To make a phone call, usually means calling the police to report another’s activities. He was in the back for a few minutes. Turned out he was dropping a dime on Ralph.
What does tool mean in slang?
According to the Urban Dictionary, a ‘tool’ is someone who lacks the mental capacity to know he or she is being used. While it’s an amusing slang term, it wasn’t what I had in mind when I decided to write this blog post.
What is the American word for spanner?
spanner Add to list Share. A spanner is a type of adjustable wrench. Outside of North America, spanner is just another word for “wrench.” If Americans want to ruin something, they “throw a wrench into it.” British people “throw a spanner in the works.”
What is Renches?
To strain a liquid. 1001 Words and Phrases You Never Knew You Didn’t Know by W.R. Runyan Copyright © 2011 by W.R. Runyan.
What is the meaning of Wrenk?
unpleasant; horrible
/ (rɛŋk) / adjective. Northern English dialect unpleasant; horrible.
What is the English dictionary definition of a spanner?
Define spanner. spanner synonyms, spanner pronunciation, spanner translation, English dictionary definition of spanner. n. 1. A wrench having a hook, hole, or pin at the end for meshing with a related device on another object. 2. Chiefly British A wrench. American Heritage®…
What kind of tool is a spanner used for?
spanner – a hand tool that is used to hold or twist a nut or bolt wrench adjustable spanner , adjustable wrench – an adjustable tool for gripping hexagonal nuts, with an adjustings crew in the head of the implement
Is there such a thing as a spanner in the works?
There must be another obstacle, a spanner in the works that requires an alternative plan or some amusing delay to the success of the initial strategy. One spanner in the works is that in the late 19th century, the term effendi was also occasionally used for women.
Where did the term Effendi Spanner come from?
One spanner in the works is that in the late 19th century, the term effendi was also occasionally used for women. The young engineer’s head was bleeding from a cut and in his hand he had a big spanner . In another instance a spanner fell a distance of 300 feet, knocked off a man’s cap, and broke its way through a four-inch plank.