Useless fact
The small plastic or metal sleeve at the end of a shoelace is called an aglet.
Why this is true — The term 'aglet' is historically established and defined in major English dictionaries, such as Merriam-Webster and Oxford, as the sheath at the end of a cord or lace.
More useless facts
- The metal band that holds the eraser onto the end of a pencil is called a ferrule.
- The small extra pocket on the front of jeans was originally designed to hold pocket watches.
- The metallic smell on your hands after touching coins is actually a type of human body odor triggered by the chemical reaction with the metal.
- The wire cage that holds the cork in a bottle of champagne is called a muselet.