2007-02-27 05:47:12 · 2 answers · asked by ROSS 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It's from French "fiche", to fix.
2007-02-27 06:10:59 · answer #1 · answered by Rachael H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fishplates are the metal bars that fasten the ends of the rails together. There is one on each side of each rail, and the rail is sandwiched between them. They span the rail joints. The plates are held in place with either 4 or 6 bolts, which pass through holes in the plates and the rails.
They are probably called fishplates because the early ones were flat bars 2 or 3 feet long, about the size of many fish caught commercially for food.
Maybe the shape of the piece before it is attached resembles a fish? Is there a certain type of dish special for serving fish, like a crescent shaped bone plate?
2007-02-27 05:57:43 · answer #2 · answered by suzykew70 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋