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OP A "coping saw" is a carpenter's doohickey in which a slim blade is stetched tightly across the open end of a U-shaped hand-held frame. It is used for cutting small things out of wood and for humbling the operator in a visible and lasting way.
The etymology of this word is apparently derived in some inapparent way from the top course of a masonry wall -- called a "coping" -- which is slanted to cause rainwater to run off. One doubts that such a course of bricks or stones was ever cut with a coping saw. The etymology of "coping" in the brick-wall sense appears to derive from a liturgical vestment -- the cope -- which is a sort of clerical poncho, open in the front and joined with a fancy clasp. In that both masonry coping and the liturgical cope may be said to "cover" something -- be it a wall or a priest -- this makes a certain sense. But it gets one no closer to understanding how the lowly coping saw got its name.
Who will solve this riddle for the old padre?
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted ![]()
I can't cope!
Father Steve 05/20/02 02:33 PM ![]()
Re: I can't cope!
of troy 05/20/02 03:45 PM ![]()
Re: I can't cope!
wwh 05/20/02 03:52 PM ![]()
Never Fret
Father Steve 05/20/02 07:47 PM ![]()
Re: Never Fret
Geoff 05/21/02 01:05 AM ![]()
Re: Never Fret
Wordwind 05/21/02 09:27 AM ![]()
Re: Never Fret
wwh 05/21/02 12:20 PM ![]()
Re: Never Fret
Alex Williams 05/22/02 01:34 AM ![]()
Re: Never Fret
RhubarbCommando 05/22/02 03:13 PM ![]()
Re: Never Fret
wow 05/22/02 03:27 PM ![]()
Whips and Chains
Father Steve 05/22/02 06:42 PM ![]()
Re: Whips and Chains
wwh 05/22/02 07:32 PM ![]()
Re: Whips and Chains
RhubarbCommando 05/23/02 08:22 AM ![]()
Re: Never Fret
Geoff 05/23/02 11:38 AM ![]()
Re: Never Fret
RhubarbCommando 05/24/02 11:10 AM ![]()
Re: Never Fret
of troy 05/24/02 05:03 PM ![]()
Re: Never Fret
wwh 05/24/02 05:14 PM ![]()
Re: I can't cope!
wwh 05/24/02 10:45 PM
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