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Duck tape


I'm embarassed to say up until the age of 15 or so I always thought it was called "Duck tape." I always wondered wtf ducks had to do with silver tape. 😀

What words or phrases did you have wrong and how did you discover your stupidity?
 
I had a (university) prof a year ago whose mother tongue wasn't English. He spoke very well, but he kept using the term "escape-goat", he even wrote it that way on his slides. Everyone in the class was giggling but no one had the heart to correct him.
 
Originally posted by: iwearnosox
I'm embarassed to say up until the age of 15 or so I always thought it was called "Duck tape." I always wondered wtf ducks had to do with silver tape. 😀

What words or phrases did you have wrong and how did you discover your stupidity?
Um, you may need to kick yourself, but it <is> duck tape, or at least was when it was invented.

Linky...
 
I've posted this before and I will do it again:

Both Duck and Duct are equally valid names for the magic silver tape.

In fact, it was ORIGINALLY called Duck tape.

Story: I think its WWI, some genius invents it for the naval infantry (no USMC at this point) and it gets the name 'duck' tape because water runs off of it like off of the back of a duck.

Of course, everyone who saw it wanted some of their own, and it quickly spread throughout the entire military. At some point when its use in ventilation ducts was widespread people started calling it duct tape.

Most companies print duct tape on their rolls because it sounds more builder-like.

They both are right.
 
Some things I've heard people say...

Polar bears carry the casket at a funeral.

My car has radio tyres.

I will meet you at the liberry.

I had a chimlee fire today!

I'm sure there are more...

Cheers!

 
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