Where does “Allen key” come from?
Allen key (English) comes from English key, from English cay, from Spanish Cayo, from Taíno cayo — small island.
Allen key (English): A hex head wrench
Definitions
- A hex head wrench
Ancestry of “Allen key”, step by step
Allen key traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English key
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | key | An object designed to open and close a lock; An... |
| 2 | English | cay | A small, low island largely made of sand or coral |
| 3 | Spanish | Cayo | key island |
| 4 | Taíno | cayo | small island |
via English Allen
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Allen | Short for Allen wrench |