Return of the "What's the right word" thread

[bungakawa2000]

Heya there!

Looking for a word yet again... According to my researches, it would be "snap", "clasp" or "catch"...

Basically, it's some kind of button usually found on coats (in my experience, at least). To fasten it, you press the two metal bits together till you hear a sharp "snap!" That's what we call it around here ("snap") but I don't know if it's just a French shortcut (because the French word is uselessly long).

Do you have any idea what I'm talking about...? If so, do native English speakers call it "snap", "clasp" or "catch" (or some other word I missed)?

Thanks a bunch, as usual!

Bunga

 

[jakelyon]

Snap

I think the work snap is the best.

I read something about the French government having a cow over the use of the work E-mail in official documents. Apparently the French word is more cumbersome, but the government, in the interest of purity wants the word e-mail banned.

What's your take on that?

 

[Zingiber]

Le mot juste, c'est "snap."

At least a snap has two round bits, and one sticks up like a nipple or peg, and one is flat with a round well to hold the peg.

A "catch" is usually found on a box, gate, or cabinet door, and has a hook which moves circularly round to catch a metal loop.

A "clasp" is usually found on jewelry (necklace, bracelet) or a woman's purse or handbag. A clasp may have a metal flap which rotates round to catch and hold a lip. Another kind of clasp has two curved metal pegs, each ending in a ball, and closes by snapping/pushing the two pegs together so they hook around each other.

Then there's a frog, which is a knot that goes into a loop, and is seen most commonly on marching band jackets.

-Z

 

[bungakawa2000]

Thanks, guess I'll use "snap" then.

Aaaah, the infamous "courriel"...

It's not very cumbersome for me since this word originates from Quebec and it's quite widely spread here... That neologism was finally recognized by the Académie Française as a valid replacement for "courrier électronique".

Personnally, I have a hard time understanding why the French have so much trouble admitting new words... We use many other "Quebecism" here related to Internet, most notably "pourriel" instead of "spam" (from "pourri", rotten) and "clavardage" for "chat" (mix of "clavier", keyboard and "bavardage", casual talk). The French still insist on using "Tchatch" or something like that... Apparently, 'their' version of "chat" is inspired by a Spanish or Portuguese word... It irks me they *have* to use a mix of French and a third language to create a new word that sounds about like its English equivalent. Heck, at least either keep the English word or use a French-based neologism!

Bottom line... I have no trouble with the "language authority" recommending we avoid using English (or any other language, for that matter) words if a French equivalent exists. I do have a problem with some of the equivalents they come up with though. ("hambourgeois" instead of "hamburger" is a terrifying example of the horrors translation can unleash upon the masses.)

ETA: Thanks for the detailed explanation, Zingiber!

Bunga

 

[deathofcards]

As far as I know the word you're after is a clasp, although with three of us all provding you with one of the three possibles you suggested I'm guessing this is just going to cause confusion.

 

[jakelyon]

Snap

In American English it is a snap. I still go for snap!

 

[deathofcards]

And in the traditional English it's clasp so pick which ever one you want Bunga.