why are nuts, as in nuts and bolts, called nuts?
2007-06-19 22:14:52 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
They are called "nuts" because "hexagonally truncated toroids" takes too long to say.
2007-06-20 14:57:17 · answer #1 · answered by Bomba 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is essentially by extension of the word "nut" as used in brazil nut etc. The use of the word "nut" as in "nut and bolt" is first recorded 1611 .
The word "nut" is descended from the Old English "hnutu" meaning "nut" (not surprisingly), and can probably be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European word "knu-" meaning lump.
2007-06-20 07:23:46 · answer #2 · answered by funkysi65a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason we say someone is nuts because something got loose !!
Actually that is a very good question and I expect to read some good answers If you get some.
By the way, in my language, we call nuts the spanner and its accessories.
So there must be a reasonable answer that eludes me.
2007-06-19 22:18:33 · answer #3 · answered by Airpole. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just a matter of usage. someone calls a thing by a name and if it catches on it becomes a part of the language. You could just as well ask why we call birds birds and bees bees.
Getting back to nuts, in some parts of the country many years ago they were called burrs.
2007-06-20 02:20:10 · answer #4 · answered by bignose68 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because I am a nut
2007-06-20 00:56:28 · answer #5 · answered by Mein Hoon Na 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they tighten when scewed - sorry could not resist - LOL
2007-06-19 22:18:22 · answer #6 · answered by Redhead 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋