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Paperclip


From Design+Encyclopedia, the free encyclopedia on good design, art, architecture, creativity, engineering and innovation.
Good Paperclip
351783
Paperclip

A paperclip is a small, simple, and ubiquitous office supply used to fasten sheets of paper together. While its use is straightforward, the history and cultural significance of the paperclip are more complex. The paperclip has become a symbol of unity, creativity, and resourcefulness, as well as a subject of study for linguists, historians, and designers. The paperclip was invented in the late 19th century, although the exact origin is disputed. It is believed to have been invented independently by several people in different countries, including Norway, the United States, and Britain. The first patent for a paperclip was filed in the United States in 1867 by Samuel B. Fay, but it was not widely adopted until the early 20th century. The design of the paperclip has evolved over time, with different shapes and materials being used. The most common type of paperclip is the Gem clip, which is made of steel wire and has a looped shape with two pointed ends. Other types of paperclips include the butterfly clip, which has a wider shape and is used for larger documents, and the jumbo clip, which is larger and stronger than the standard clip. The paperclip has also become a symbol of unity and solidarity, particularly during times of political turmoil. During World War II, the paperclip was used as a symbol of resistance against the Nazi regime in Norway, where people wore paperclips on their lapels as a sign of support for the resistance movement. The paperclip has also been used as a symbol of unity and diversity, as seen in the Paperclips Project in Whitwell, Tennessee, where students collected paperclips to represent each victim of the Holocaust. In conclusion, the paperclip is a small but significant office supply that has a rich history and cultural significance. Its design has evolved over time, and it has become a symbol of unity, creativity, and resourcefulness. Whether used to fasten documents together or to express solidarity and support, the paperclip remains an important part of our daily lives.

Gem clip, butterfly clip, jumbo clip, resistance, symbol, unity, diversity, Holocaust, Whitwell

David Harris

221046
Paperclip

Paperclip is a common noun. The word paperclip derives from the late 19th century and is a combination of the words ‘paper’ and ‘clip’. Synonyms for the word paperclip include staples, pins, and clasps. Antonyms for paperclip typically include phrases like unclip, unseal and unfasten. As for cognates, the Spanish equivalent of paperclip would be 'grapa'. Variants of paperclip also include paper pin, paper knife, and paper fastener.

Morphological analysis, lexical categories, semantic analysis, loanwords, polysemy, semantic change, affixation, loanwords in dialects, semantic fields, lexical mapping.

George Adrian Postea

CITATION : "George Adrian Postea. 'Paperclip.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=221046 (Accessed on April 30, 2025)"

221038
Paperclip

The word paperclip is an interesting object of study for morphologists, etymologists, and linguists alike. It has a short and simple definition that belies the complexity and depth of its history. It has been in use since the late 19th or early 20th century, although its true origin and source is difficult to determine. It is believed to have derived from the German word “papierklammer”, although this is not confirmed. Paperclips are a fairly straightforward type of technology, which means that their function has not been heavily modified over time. This can be seen in the morphology of the word itself, which has remained fairly consistent since its creation. It is also interesting to note that paperclips have a wide range of uses and contexts, from everyday office work to more specialized applications such as scrapbooking, and that their meaning has evolved beyond the simple definition of holding pieces of paper together. Such pragmatic implications demonstrate how language is malleable and contingent upon its context.

Etymology, Morphology, Paperclip, Historical evolution, Pragmatics

Henry Fontaine

221026
Paperclip

Paperclips are small clips made of metal that are used to hold paper together. In other languages, paperclips are known as papervis en plakkers in Dutch, clips de papier in French, clipes de papel in Portuguese, Federklammern in German, Clips metálicos para papel in Spanish, papkové sponky in Czech, papírklipset in Hungarian, plickar för papper in Swedish, clipuri pentru hârtie in Romanian, Spončky na papír in Slovakian, and Spilky dlya bumagi in Ukrainian.

papervis en plakkers, clips de papier, clipes de papel, Federklammern, Clips metálicos para papel, papkové sponky, papírklipset, plickar för papper, clipuri pentru hârtie, Spončky na papír, Spilky dlya bumagi, Paperclips, pins for paper, paper clamps, met

Harris Awan

186769
Paperclip

Paperclips are small metal clips used to attach sheets of paper together. They are usually made of steel wire, and are formed in a looped shape with two pointed ends that can be pressed together to hold the paper. Paperclips are typically used in offices and other workplaces, as well as in schools, to quickly secure documents together. Paperclips are also used in arts and crafts projects, such as scrapbooking, and can be used to hang decorations.

Paperclip, Office Supply, Document Holder, Stationery Supply.

Robert Johnson


Paperclip Definition
Paperclip on Design+Encyclopedia

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