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The Daily Insight

What is the hard bit at the end of a shoelace?

Author

William Smith

Published Apr 11, 2026

What is the hard bit at the end of a shoelace?

An aglet (/ˈæɡlət/ AG-lət) or aiglet is a small sheath, often made of plastic or metal, used on each end of a shoelace, a cord, or a drawstring.

Why is the tip of a shoelace called an aglet?

The word “aglet” (or “aiglet”) originates from Old French “aguillette” (or “aiguillette”), which is the diminutive of “aguille” (or “aiguille”), meaning “needle”. This in turn comes from the original Latin word for needle: “acus”. Hence, an “aglet” is like a short “needle” at the end of a shoelace.

What is an aglet and who invented it?

It’s called the aglet. The aglet, which is typically plastic, was invented in 1790 by Harvey Kennedy. The aglet protects the end of the shoe lace from fraying and makes the process of tying and threading the lace through the eyelet easier. There are also more luxury aglets made from metal.

Are aglets only for shoelaces?

Aglets appear on more than just shoelaces today. They can be found at the end of cords and drawstrings. Decorative aglets can also be found at the tips of bolo ties and fancy belts. Today, most clear plastic aglets on the end of shoelaces are put there by special machines.

What do you call the plastic tip of a shoelace?

The little plastic tip at the end of your shoelace is called an aglet. If the aglets wear off, it can be hard to lace up your old basketball sneakers.

What is an aglet baby?

In Shakespeare’s time a lot of articles of clothing, such as men’s shirts and lady’s gowns, were held together with lacings, so there were a lot more aglets, none of them made of plastic, and some of them quite fancy, so perhaps a fancy one in the shape of a human could be called an “aglet-baby.” …

What are the holes for shoelaces called?

An eyelet is a hole that’s meant for threading a cord or lace through. When you lace up your sneakers, you pass the shoelace through eyelets in your shoes. Many eyelets have metal rings that make it easy to put strings or cords through them, while others are simply holes punched in cloth or leather.

What is end of shoelace called?

aglet
The little plastic tip at the end of your shoelace is called an aglet. If the aglets wear off, it can be hard to lace up your old basketball sneakers.

What is a shoelace hole called?

An eyelet is a hole that’s meant for threading a cord or lace through. When you lace up your sneakers, you pass the shoelace through eyelets in your shoes. Tiny hooks, such as the ones on dresses and undergarments, are also sometimes called eyelets.

What’s the plastic tip of your shoelace called?

What do you call the holes for laces in shoes?

What are the 2 holes on Converse for?

Well, wonder no more – it turns out their first purpose is to provide a little ~ventilation to your feet. The holes allow air to circulate around and stop your feet getting all sweaty.

What’s the name of the tip on a shoelace?

An “aglet” (sometimes spelt “aiglet”) is the name given to the plastic or metal tip on the end of a shoelace.

What are the ends of a shoelace called?

Understanding Shoelace Tips & Aglets. The ends or tips of a shoelaces are called “Aglets”. The Aglets on shoelaces are often made from plastic and metal. Premium shoelaces are often fitted with metal Aglets to provide a longer lasting shoelaces, as the plastic Aglets can often snap.

Why are the tips on a shoelace called aglet?

The stiff section at each end of the shoelace, which both keeps the twine from unraveling and also makes it easier to hold the lace and feed it through the eyelets, is called an aglet, also spelled aiglet. Shoelaces – Why is it called an aglet?

What is the tip of a shoestring called?

The tip of the shoelace is called an aglet. An aglet is a small sheath, often made of plastic or metal, used on each end of a shoelace, a cord, or a drawstring.

An “aglet” (sometimes spelt “aiglet”) is the name given to the plastic or metal tip on the end of a shoelace.

What is the thing on the end of a shoe lace called?

An aglet (/ˈæɡlət/ AG-lət) is a small sheath, often made of plastic or metal, used on each end of a shoelace, a cord, or a drawstring. An aglet keeps the fibers of the lace or cord from unraveling; its firmness and narrow profile make it easier to hold and easier to feed through eyelets, lugs, or other lacing guides.

The tip of the shoelace is called an aglet. An aglet is a small sheath, often made of plastic or metal, used on each end of a shoelace, a cord, or a drawstring.

The stiff section at each end of the shoelace, which both keeps the twine from unraveling and also makes it easier to hold the lace and feed it through the eyelets, is called an aglet, also spelled aiglet. Shoelaces – Why is it called an aglet?