What Is That Thing Called? Names For Everyday Things And Things You Never Knew Had Names

You recognize them instantly: the plastic tip on a shoelace, the tiny table in a pizza box, the groove under your nose, the white crescent on a fingernail, and the blinking line where your text appears. But when someone asks, “What is that thing called?” the answer can be surprisingly hard to find.

Many familiar objects, body features, product parts, and small everyday details have precise names from anatomy, typography, manufacturing, clothing, packaging, engineering, and design. Some names are widely standardized. Others vary by country, industry, manufacturer, or context. A few are common in casual speech but have more technical alternatives. This guide gives direct, plain-English answers to the names people search for most often, while also pointing out where similar terms are easily confused.

1. What Is the Metal Band Around a Pencil Eraser Called?

The metal band around a pencil eraser is called a ferrule.

On a standard wooden pencil, the ferrule is the crimped metal sleeve that holds the eraser to the pencil body. It is usually made from aluminum or another thin metal and is squeezed around both the wood and the eraser so the eraser stays attached during use.

The word “ferrule” comes from older terms connected with iron and metal bands. It is used for many ring-like or sleeve-like fittings, not just pencils. For example, ferrules can appear on paintbrushes, walking sticks, cables, tools, and furniture.

People sometimes call it the “metal thing,” “eraser holder,” or “pencil band.” Those are understandable informal names, but ferrule is the usual technical term. Be careful with the phrase “the metal part of a pencil,” because it could also refer to a mechanical pencil’s clip, tip, or internal mechanism depending on the kind of pencil being discussed.

2. What Is the Plastic Tip of a Shoelace Called?

The plastic tip of a shoelace is called an aglet.

An aglet is the small plastic, metal, or sometimes wrapped end that keeps a shoelace from fraying. It also makes the lace easier to thread through eyelets, hooks, or loops on a shoe.

The word is often traced through French to a root meaning a small needle, which makes sense because an aglet helps a lace pass through a hole the way a needle helps thread pass through fabric.

Aglets may be clear plastic, colored plastic, metal, heat-shrunk material, or a hardened coating. Some people spell it “aiglet,” but “aglet” is the common modern spelling. In casual speech, people may simply say “shoelace tip” or “lace end.”

3. What Is the Dot Above an I or J Called?

The dot above a lowercase i or j is called a tittle.

A tittle is a small distinguishing mark in writing or printing. In English typography, the most familiar tittles are the dots over lowercase i and lowercase j.

The word “tittle” historically meant a tiny mark or small point. It is related to the idea of a minute written detail. That is why the phrase “jot and tittle” refers to very small written marks.

In everyday speech, most people just call it a dot. In typography, “tittle” is the more specific term. Do not confuse it with a diacritic mark such as an accent, umlaut, or tilde. A tittle can function like a distinguishing mark, but in English it is normally considered part of the basic letterform.

4. What Is the Groove Between Your Nose and Upper Lip Called?

The groove between your nose and upper lip is called the philtrum.

The philtrum is the vertical indentation that runs from the bottom of the nose to the upper lip. In many people, it has two raised ridges with a central groove between them.

The term comes from Greek roots associated with love charms or attraction, although in modern anatomy it simply names a facial feature. The philtrum forms during embryonic development as parts of the face come together.

People sometimes describe it as the “upper lip groove,” “nose-to-lip groove,” or “vertical groove under the nose.” Those descriptions are clear, but philtrum is the anatomical name. It should not be confused with the nasolabial fold, which is the crease running from the side of the nose toward the corner of the mouth.

5. What Is the White Half-Moon on a Fingernail Called?

The white half-moon at the base of a fingernail is called the lunula.

The lunula is the pale crescent-shaped area visible near the base of some nails. It is most noticeable on thumbnails and may be faint or hidden on other fingers.

The word “lunula” comes from Latin and means “little moon.” That name fits its curved, moon-like shape. Anatomically, the lunula is the visible part of the nail matrix, the tissue that helps produce the nail plate.

Some people call it the “half-moon,” “nail moon,” or “white crescent.” Those are common informal names. The lunula is not the same thing as the cuticle, which is the thin skin-related tissue at the base of the nail, or the nail bed, which lies underneath the nail plate.

6. What Is the Dent in the Bottom of a Wine Bottle Called?

The dent in the bottom of a wine bottle is commonly called the punt.

The punt is the concave indentation at the base of many wine bottles. It can help strengthen the bottle, provide stability, and give sediment a place to collect in certain traditional bottle designs.

The origin of the word is associated with glassmaking and the bottle-making process. Historically, the indentation was connected to how blown glass bottles were shaped and finished.

People may call it the “kick-up,” “dimple,” “push-up,” or “indent.” Punt is the most recognized wine-bottle term, but bottle design varies. Not every wine bottle has a deep punt, and the presence or depth of a punt does not reliably prove wine quality.

7. What Is the Small Plastic Table in a Pizza Box Called?

The small plastic table in a pizza box is commonly called a pizza saver.

A pizza saver is the little three-legged plastic support placed in the center of some pizza boxes. Its job is to stop the box lid from sagging into the cheese and toppings during delivery or stacking.

It is also commonly called a “pizza table,” “box tent,” or “package saver.” “Pizza saver” is one of the most widely used names because it describes the object’s purpose: saving the top of the pizza from being damaged by the box.

No single name is universal in all restaurants or packaging contexts. If you call it a pizza table, most people will understand immediately. If you are describing it in packaging or product design, pizza saver or package saver may be more precise.

8. What Is the Ridged Edge of a Coin Called?

The ridged edge of a coin is called a reeded edge.

A reeded edge has many small grooves or ridges around the outside of a coin. The ridges can make a coin easier to identify by touch and harder to counterfeit or alter.

Historically, reeded edges helped discourage people from shaving small amounts of precious metal from coins. If the ridges were damaged, it was easier to see that the coin had been tampered with.

People may call the ridges “coin grooves,” “ribbing,” or “serrations.” In numismatics, the study and collecting of coins, reeded edge is the common technical term. Not all coins are reeded. Some have plain edges, lettered edges, or decorated edges.

9. What Is the Metal Hook on the End of a Tape Measure Called?

The metal hook on the end of a tape measure is usually called the end hook.

The end hook is the small metal piece attached to the zero end of a tape measure blade. It catches on the edge of a board, wall, pipe, or other surface so one person can pull the tape and measure accurately.

Manufacturers and tradespeople may also call it the “hook,” “hook tab,” “tang,” or “end tang.” The exact wording varies by brand and industry. There is no single name used everywhere.

The looseness of the hook is usually intentional. It shifts slightly to account for the thickness of the hook when taking inside or outside measurements. That movement helps the zero point remain accurate whether the hook is pulled against an outside edge or pushed against an inside surface.

10. What Is the Plastic Clip on a Bread Bag Called?

The plastic clip on a bread bag is commonly called a bread clip.

A bread clip is the small plastic closure used to keep a bread bag shut after packaging or after the bag has been opened. It helps keep the bag closed and can also display date, batch, or product information.

Other common names include “bread tag,” “bread tab,” “bag clip,” and “bag closure.” In packaging contexts, “bag closure” is broader and can include twist ties or other closing devices.

No single term is universal. “Bread clip” is a clear everyday name, while “bread tag” is especially common when the clip is used to show identifying information. The object should not be confused with a twist tie, which uses wire or flexible material rather than a rigid plastic tab.

11. What Is the Metal Piece That Goes Through the Hole in a Belt Called?

The metal piece that goes through the hole in a belt is called the prong or tongue.

On a typical belt buckle, the prong is the movable metal part that passes through a hole in the belt strap. It holds the belt at the chosen size by locking into one of the holes.

“Prong” is common in everyday English because the part sticks out like a pointed projection. “Tongue” is also used in buckle terminology because the part moves like a small tongue within the buckle frame.

Both names are acceptable. The full buckle may also include a frame, bar, chape, keeper, and other components depending on the buckle style. Do not call the prong the entire buckle, because the buckle is the larger fastening assembly.

12. What Is the Bridge Between Eyeglass Lenses Called?

The bridge between eyeglass lenses is called the bridge.

In eyeglass frames, the bridge is the part that connects the two lenses or rims across the nose. It helps determine how the glasses sit on the wearer’s face and how weight is distributed.

The term is straightforward: it acts like a bridge between the left and right lens areas. Different frame designs have different bridge types, including keyhole bridges, saddle bridges, double bridges, and adjustable nose-pad bridges.

The bridge is sometimes confused with nose pads. Nose pads are the small pieces that rest directly on the nose, while the bridge is the connecting frame structure above or between them. In some plastic frames, the bridge itself rests on the nose without separate pads.

13. What Is the Cardboard Tube Inside a Toilet Paper Roll Called?

The cardboard tube inside a toilet paper roll is commonly called the core.

The core is the cylindrical cardboard piece around which the toilet paper is wound. It gives the roll shape during manufacturing, shipping, storage, and use.

Common names include “cardboard tube,” “toilet paper tube,” “roll core,” “paper core,” and “cardboard core.” In manufacturing and packaging, core is often the most concise technical term.

No single everyday name is universal. Most people say “the tube” or “the cardboard roll.” Technically, the toilet paper is the roll, while the empty cardboard center is the core or tube.

14. What Is the Metal Tip of an Umbrella Called?

The metal tip of an umbrella may be called a ferrule, tip, or cap, depending on which end you mean.

At the very top of many umbrellas, above the canopy, the small end fitting is often called the ferrule or top cap. It helps secure the fabric canopy and gives the umbrella a finished point.

At the bottom of a walking-style umbrella, the end that touches the ground may be called a tip, ferrule, or end cap. If it is rubber, people often call it a rubber tip. If it is metal, ferrule may be used, especially when it functions as a protective sleeve.

This is a context-dependent term. Umbrella makers may use different part names for the top notch, cap, finial, runner, ribs, stretchers, shaft, handle, and tips. If you are asking about the pointed top, “umbrella ferrule” is often appropriate. If you mean the ground-contact end, “umbrella tip” or “ferrule” may be clearer.

15. What Are the Little Teeth on a Zipper Called?

The little teeth on a zipper are called teeth, but in technical zipper terminology they may also be called elements.

Zipper teeth are the interlocking parts that the slider joins together or separates. When the slider moves up, the teeth engage. When it moves down, the teeth disengage.

The word “teeth” is common because the pieces look like small teeth along the zipper tape. In manufacturing, “elements” or “chain elements” may be more precise, especially because not all zippers have separate tooth-like pieces. Coil zippers, for example, use a continuous spiral element rather than individual metal or plastic teeth.

The full row of joined elements may be called the zipper chain. The moving part is the slider, and the piece you hold is the pull tab or puller. So “teeth” is correct in everyday speech, but “elements” is the broader technical term.

16. What Is the Loop on the Back of a Shoe Called?

The loop on the back of a shoe is commonly called a pull loop.

A pull loop is the loop or tab attached near the heel of a shoe or boot. It helps you pull the shoe onto your foot, especially when the opening is tight or the footwear has a high ankle.

It may also be called a “heel loop,” “back loop,” “pull tab,” “heel tab,” or “boot loop.” The exact name depends on the footwear style and brand.

The loop should not be confused with the shoe’s heel counter, which is the structured part around the back of the heel, or the collar, which is the padded or finished edge around the opening. The pull loop is specifically the part you grab.

17. What Is the Flap in Front of the Ear Canal Called?

The flap in front of the ear canal is called the tragus.

The tragus is the small projecting piece of cartilage just in front of the ear canal opening. You can press it inward to partially cover the ear canal.

The term comes from Greek and is associated with the idea of a goat, possibly because of hair that can grow on or near the area in some people. In modern anatomy, tragus simply names this outer-ear feature.

The tragus is often confused with the antitragus, another small cartilage bump located opposite it, above the earlobe. The tragus is the forward flap closest to the face and directly in front of the ear canal.

18. What Is the Space Between the Eyebrows Called?

The space between the eyebrows is called the glabella.

The glabella is the smooth area of the forehead between the eyebrows and above the nose. It is the region where frown lines often appear.

The word comes from Latin and is related to “smooth” or “hairless,” which describes the area between the brow hairs. In anatomy, it is used as a landmark on the skull and face.

People often call it the “between-the-eyebrows area” or “middle of the forehead.” Those are understandable descriptions, but glabella is the precise anatomical term. It is not the same as the philtrum, which is the groove between the nose and upper lip.

19. What Is the White Part of the Eye Called?

The white part of the eye is called the sclera.

The sclera is the tough, white outer layer of the eyeball. It helps protect the eye and maintain its shape. It also provides attachment points for the muscles that move the eye.

The word comes from a Greek root meaning hard, which reflects the sclera’s firm structure compared with more delicate eye tissues. In healthy eyes, the visible sclera is usually white or slightly off-white.

People often call it “the white of the eye.” That phrase is perfectly clear in everyday speech. The sclera should not be confused with the cornea, which is the transparent front surface over the iris and pupil.

20. What Is the Colored Part of the Eye Called?

The colored part of the eye is called the iris.

The iris is the ring-shaped structure that gives the eye its visible color, such as brown, blue, green, gray, or hazel. It controls the size of the pupil, which regulates how much light enters the eye.

The term “iris” comes from Greek and is associated with the rainbow, an appropriate origin because irises appear in many colors.

The iris is often confused with the pupil. The pupil is not a colored object. It is the dark opening in the center of the iris. The iris is the colored muscular tissue around that opening.

21. What Is the Small Piece of Skin at the Base of a Fingernail Called?

The small piece of skin at the base of a fingernail is commonly called the cuticle, though the technical anatomy is more specific.

In everyday language, “cuticle” refers to the thin skin-like tissue at the base of the nail. Its job is to help seal the area between the skin and the nail plate, protecting the nail matrix from irritation and infection.

Technically, the living skin fold at the base of the nail is the proximal nail fold. The thin layer that adheres to the nail plate is often called the cuticle or eponychium in common usage, although specialists may distinguish these terms more carefully.

Because nail-care terminology is used differently by doctors, manicurists, and the general public, there is some variation. If you are speaking casually, “cuticle” is the recognized word. If you need medical precision, “proximal nail fold” and “eponychium” may be relevant.

22. What Is the Dangling Part at the Back of the Throat Called?

The dangling part at the back of the throat is called the uvula.

The uvula is the small, fleshy structure that hangs from the soft palate at the back of the mouth. It is visible when many people open their mouth wide and say “ah.”

The word comes from Latin and means “little grape,” which reflects its hanging shape. The uvula plays roles in speech, swallowing, and helping manage airflow and secretions in the throat.

People often call it the “dangly thing” in the throat. That description is common but informal. The uvula is not the tonsils. The tonsils are located on the sides of the back of the throat.

23. What Is the Small Groove Between the Nose and Cheek Called?

The small groove between the nose and cheek is usually called the nasolabial fold, although the exact term depends on the groove you mean.

The nasolabial fold is the crease or fold that runs from the side of the nose down toward the corner of the mouth. It becomes more noticeable with facial expression and age.

The word combines “naso,” meaning nose, and “labial,” meaning lip. That name describes the fold’s path from the nasal area toward the lip area.

If you mean the shallow groove directly beside the nostril, people may describe it as the alar crease or alar-facial groove, because the ala is the wing-like side of the nose. There is no single everyday name that covers every small crease between the nose and cheek. “Nasolabial fold” is the best-known general term, but “alar crease” can be more precise for the crease right next to the nostril.

24. What Is the Raised Part of a Key Called?

The raised part of a key is usually called a biting, cut, or part of the key’s bitting, depending on the key type and context.

On many common keys, the notches and raised areas along the blade form a pattern that matches the lock. This pattern lifts or positions internal lock components so the key can turn.

In locksmithing, “bitting” often refers to the specific pattern or code of cuts on a key. Individual low points may be called cuts. The remaining high areas may be described as peaks, lands, or raised portions, but the exact terminology varies.

There is no single universal everyday name for “the raised part” of a key. People may say “ridge,” “tooth,” “notch,” or “key cuts,” but those words can refer to different parts of different keys. If precision matters, describe the key type and whether you mean the raised peaks, the cut depths, or the entire bitting pattern.

25. What Is the Spiral Metal Part Inside a Notebook Called?

The spiral metal part inside a notebook is commonly called the spiral binding.

Spiral binding is the coil of wire or plastic that passes through holes along the edge of a notebook and holds the pages together. It allows the notebook to open flat or fold back on itself.

Other names include “coil binding,” “wire coil,” “spiral coil,” and “spiral.” In office and print settings, coil binding may refer to plastic spiral binding, while wire binding may refer to double-loop wire systems.

The familiar school notebook with a single continuous coil is usually called a spiral notebook. The metal or plastic coil itself is the spiral binding or coil. It is not the same as a three-ring binder, comb binding, or staple binding.

26. What Is the Plastic or Metal Ring Around a Shoelace Hole Called?

The plastic or metal ring around a shoelace hole is called an eyelet.

An eyelet reinforces the hole where a shoelace passes through a shoe. It helps prevent tearing, reduces friction, and gives the lace a smoother path.

The word “eyelet” means a small eye or hole, especially one reinforced for lacing or fastening. Eyelets can be made of metal, plastic, stitched thread, or reinforced fabric.

People sometimes call them “lace holes,” “grommets,” or “rings.” A grommet is a similar reinforcing ring, often larger or used in heavier materials. In footwear, eyelet is usually the better everyday term, though some boot hardware may be called speed hooks, D-rings, or grommets depending on the design.

27. What Is the Pull Tab on a Soda Can Called?

The pull tab on a soda can is commonly called a pull tab or stay tab.

The pull tab is the metal lever on top of a can that opens the scored drinking aperture. Modern soda cans usually use stay tabs, meaning the tab stays attached to the can after opening.

Older pull-tab designs detached completely from the can, which created litter and safety problems. The modern stay tab was designed to remain connected while still pressing the scored panel open.

People may call it a “ring pull,” “can tab,” “pop top,” or “pull ring.” Terminology varies by country and by can design. “Stay tab” is more specific for the modern non-detaching version, while “pull tab” is the broad everyday name.

28. What Is the Cardboard Sleeve Around a Coffee Cup Called?

The cardboard sleeve around a coffee cup is commonly called a coffee sleeve.

A coffee sleeve wraps around a disposable hot drink cup to insulate the drinker’s hand from heat. It also improves grip and can provide space for branding or drink information.

Other names include “cup sleeve,” “hot cup sleeve,” “coffee collar,” “cup jacket,” and “insulating sleeve.” Some brands may use proprietary names, but coffee sleeve and cup sleeve are the most understandable general terms.

It should not be confused with a cup holder or drink carrier. A cup sleeve fits directly around one cup, while a carrier holds one or more cups for transport.

29. What Is the Metal Cap at the End of a Walking Stick Called?

The metal cap at the end of a walking stick is called a ferrule.

On a walking stick or cane, the ferrule is the protective cap or sleeve at the lower end. It helps prevent the stick from wearing down and can improve grip on the ground.

Ferrules may be metal, rubber, or a combination of materials. A rubber version is often simply called a rubber tip, cane tip, or walking-stick tip. A metal version may be called a metal ferrule or end ferrule.

The term is related to other protective sleeves and bands, such as the ferrule on a pencil or paintbrush. In walking-stick contexts, ferrule is the traditional technical word, but “tip” is common in everyday speech.

30. What Is a Single Strand of Spaghetti Called?

A single strand of spaghetti is called a spaghetto in Italian.

“Spaghetti” is plural in Italian. The singular form is “spaghetto,” meaning one strand. The word is related to “spago,” meaning string or twine, which reflects the pasta’s long, thin shape.

In English, people usually treat “spaghetti” as a mass noun, so they might say “a piece of spaghetti” or “a strand of spaghetti” rather than “a spaghetto.” Both are understandable, but “spaghetto” is the proper singular form in Italian.

Do not confuse spaghetti with similar pasta shapes. Spaghettini is thinner, spaghettoni is thicker, and linguine is flatter. If you are asking about one individual piece of standard spaghetti, spaghetto is the exact word.

31. What Is the Smell After Rain Called?

The smell after rain is called petrichor.

Petrichor is the earthy smell that often rises from dry ground when rain begins to fall. It is especially noticeable after a dry spell.

The word was created from Greek roots. “Petra” means stone, and “ichor” refers to the fluid of the gods in Greek mythology. The term was coined to describe the distinctive scent released when rain interacts with soil, rocks, plants, and organic compounds.

Petrichor is sometimes used broadly for any pleasant smell after rain, but the exact smell can come from several sources, including plant oils, soil compounds, and atmospheric conditions. It is not simply the smell of water itself.

32. What Is the Sound Your Stomach Makes Called?

The sound your stomach makes is called borborygmus.

Borborygmus is the rumbling, gurgling, or growling sound caused by gas and fluid moving through the stomach and intestines. The plural form is borborygmi.

The word comes from Greek and imitates the rumbling sound itself. It is an example of an onomatopoeic medical term, meaning the word resembles the sound it describes.

People often call it a “stomach growl,” but the sound may come from the intestines as well as the stomach. It can happen when you are hungry, digesting food, or moving gas through the digestive tract. Occasional borborygmi are normal, but persistent pain, bloating, or digestive symptoms may need medical attention.

33. What Is the Feeling of Having Experienced Something Before Called?

The feeling of having experienced something before is called déjà vu.

Déjà vu is the strange sensation that a new situation feels familiar, as though you have already seen or lived through it. The phrase is French and means “already seen.”

It is usually a brief experience and is common among healthy people. Researchers have studied it as a memory-related phenomenon, but ordinary déjà vu is not the same as actually remembering a previous event.

Do not confuse déjà vu with nostalgia, which is a sentimental feeling about the past, or precognition, which is the claimed ability to know the future. Déjà vu is a feeling of familiarity in the present, not proof that the event happened before.

34. What Is the Symbol Above the Number Sign on a Telephone Keypad Called?

The symbol above the number sign on a telephone keypad is often called an asterisk if you mean the star-shaped key, but the question can be ambiguous.

On a standard telephone keypad, the star-shaped symbol is usually the asterisk key, and the symbol often called the number sign is the pound sign, hash sign, or number sign. The star key is typically located to the left of zero, while the pound or hash key is to the right of zero.

The word “asterisk” comes from a Greek word meaning “little star.” In typography and computing, an asterisk is the star-like symbol used for footnotes, multiplication in some contexts, wildcards, and many other functions.

If someone says “the symbol above the number sign,” they might be describing a printed keyboard, phone interface, or layout where symbols are stacked differently. On phones, the common paired special keys are star and pound, or star and hash. There is no single answer unless the exact keypad layout is known, but the star-shaped symbol is properly called an asterisk.

35. What Is the Vertical Line That Shows Where You Are Typing Called?

The vertical line that shows where you are typing is called the cursor, and more specifically the text cursor or insertion point.

The text cursor marks where the next character will appear when you type. In many programs, it appears as a blinking vertical line. It moves as you type, click, tap, or use arrow keys.

“Cursor” is the broad everyday term, but it can also refer to the mouse pointer or other on-screen indicators. “Insertion point” is more precise when you mean the exact place where text will be inserted.

People sometimes call it the “caret,” especially in computing and text editing. Strictly speaking, a caret can also mean a proofreading mark shaped like an inverted V. In modern software discussions, cursor, text cursor, caret, and insertion point may overlap, but insertion point is the clearest technical term for where typing will happen.

36. Why Do So Many Everyday Things Have Specialized Names?

Everyday objects have specialized names because different fields need precise vocabulary. A designer, doctor, printer, engineer, tailor, locksmith, or packaging manufacturer often needs to identify one tiny part without confusion.

That is why a pencil has a ferrule, a nail has a lunula, a face has a philtrum, a zipper has teeth or elements, and a line in a document has an insertion point. These words may feel obscure in casual conversation, but they are useful when precision matters.

It is also important to remember that language is not always perfectly standardized. Some objects have one widely accepted technical name. Others have several acceptable names depending on region, industry, product design, or historical usage. The best answer to “What is that thing called?” is often the term that is both accurate and understandable in context.

Precise vocabulary often comes from specialized fields such as anatomy, typography, engineering, fashion, packaging, food, printing, and manufacturing. Learning these names does more than satisfy curiosity. It helps you describe the world more clearly, search more effectively, and notice the hidden design language built into ordinary life.