‘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. From German Spanner (n.), from spannen (v.)
Why do Americans call it a wrench?
(These pins or tabs fit into the holes or notches cut into the object to be turned.) In American commerce, such a wrench may be called a spanner wrench to distinguish it from the British sense of spanner .
Why is the monkey wrench called that?
Solymon Merrick of Springfield, Massachusetts, patented the first wrench in 1835. Charles Moncky, a Baltimore mechanic, invented the monkey wrench around 1858. Moncky's wrench was named using a purposeful misspelling of his name .
What do they call wrenches in England?
A spanner is the word for a wrench in England, so it's the British equivalent of “throwing a wrench in the plan.” 6. “Let's have a chin-wag.” Though fairly self-explanatory, having a “chinwag” (sometimes “chin-wag”) means that you're having a brief chat with someone, usually associated with gossip.
Who calls a wrench a spanner?
In the USA, the word ‘wrench' is used almost entirely instead of the word ‘spanner,' but, because the USA and European markets are linked, the terms ‘wrench' and ‘spanner' often appear interchangeable in Britain .
What do Canadians call a wrench?
In Canada and the United States, the tool is known as a Crescent wrench or an adjustable wrench . In Australia it is referred to as a “shifting spanner”, usually abbreviated to “shifter”.
Who uses wrench?
Wrenches are made in various shapes and sizes and are used for gripping, fastening, turning, tightening and loosening things like pipes, pipe fittings, nuts and bolts. There are basically two major kinds of wrenches: Pipe wrenches used in plumbing for gripping round (cylindrical) things.
What is a monkey wrench slang?
Sabotage or frustrate a project or plans , as in The boss threw a monkey wrench into our plans when he said we'd have to work Saturday. This transfer of industrial sabotage—that is, throwing a tool inside machinery—to other subjects dates from the early 1900s.
What is another name for a monkey wrench?
Also called, especially British, adjustable spanner . a wrench having an adjustable jaw permitting it to grasp nuts or the like of different sizes.
What is a monkey wrench used for?
This heavy wrench was used in steam locomotive and railroad-car repair work . A skilled mechanic used a monkey wrench only when a solid, open-end wrench was not available to properly fit a bolt or nut in question, or when the head of the bolt or size of the nut was non-standard.
What is a 6 sided wrench called?
WRENCH TYPE: Hex-Key Wrench
Also called Allen wrenches (although “Allen” actually refers to specific brand known for making hex-key wrenches), these short six-sided bars of steel are characteristically L-shaped, with one side shorter than the other.
Is spanner American or British?
Spanner. The Brits call it a spanner , the Americans call it a wrench. But whichever you prefer, it's also interchangeable with other similar tools, such as the box-end wrench (ring spanner) and the flare-nut or tube wrench (crow's foot spanner).
Why do British say spanner?
5. “ You've thrown a spanner in the works .” When you “put/throw a spanner in the works,” it means you've ruined a plan. A spanner is the word for a wrench in England, so it's the British equivalent of “throwing a wrench in the works.”
What's the difference between a wrench and a spanner?
The term wrench is generally used for tools that turn non-fastening devices (e.g. tap wrench and pipe wrench), or may be used for a monkey wrench—an adjustable pipe wrench. ... In American English, spanner refers to a specialized wrench with a series of pins or tabs around the circumference.
What is the difference between a box end wrench and an open end wrench?
Box and Open Ended Wrenches. These tools are used for loosening and tightening fasteners such as nuts and bolts. ... The box end has a tendency to slip off , while the open end allows more versatility since it needs only to contact two sides of the nut or bolt.
Do Americans use the word spanner?
‘ In British English, spanner is the standard term . ... The term wrench is generally used for tools that turn non fastening devices (e.g. tap wrench and pipe wrench), or may be used for a monkey wrench – an adjustable spanner. In American English, wrench is the standard term.
