Useless fact
What is the metal plate on a stapler called?
The metal plate at the base of a stapler that bends the staples is called the anvil.
The metal plate at the base of a standard office stapler is known as the anvil. This component plays a crucial role in the stapling process by guiding and bending the sharp prongs of the wire staple as they pass through the sheets of paper. Most modern staplers feature an adjustable anvil that can be rotated or slid to switch between two different stapling modes. The most common setting is the outward bend, known as pinning, which temporarily holds documents together and allows for easy removal of the staple. The standard inward bend, known as stapling, provides a more permanent bind. Despite its daily utility in schools and offices worldwide, few people know the technical term for this small, grooved plate. The term anvil is borrowed from the traditional blacksmithing tool, which serves as a heavy block upon which metal is shaped.
Why this is true — This fact is verified by major English dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster and Oxford, which define the 'anvil' as the metal plate on a stapler used to bend staples.
Sources
- ANVIL | English meaning Cambridge University Press
- anvil noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes Oxford University Press