[BC] Tape: duck vs duct

[Dan Strassberg]

I'm one of the millions who used to think (hell, not think; I was CERTAIN)
that duck tape was a mispronunciation of duct tape. Not true! Duck tape is
correct; duct tape is the corruption. The tape was NOT developed, as most
think, to tape the joints of air-conditioning ducts to prevent the escape of
air under moderate pressure. Although you can use duck tape for that
purpose, the idea that that application is the genesis of the name is urban
legend. The tape is named for the fabric from which it is made and the
fabric is called "duck." I don't know how duck fabric came to be called duck
fabric, but I don't think it has anything to to with aquatic birds that have
webbed feet. So when you hear somebody refer to duck tape, it's NOT lazy
pronunciation (as in noo' kew ler); "duck tape" correct!

Now, if someone can explain how duck fabric got its name...

To quote '30s-era comedian, Joe Penner, "Wanna buy a duck?" Anybody?
--
Dan Strassberg, dan.strassberg at att.net
eFax 707-215-6367