There is sparse, and often contradictory, documentation as to the origin of the term “church key”, though most agree the phrase is a sarcastic euphemism, as the opener was obviously designed to access beer, and not churches.
Another motive for assigning the device such a name could have been the fact that beer was first canned (for test marketing) in 1933 — the same year Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Bill. This act, which predated Repeal of Prohibition, amended the Volstead Act, making 3.2 beer legal. Some experts have posited the term “church key” was a way to “stick it to” the religious organizations who had effected Prohibition in the first place.
Hhmm, wouldn’t it be in his hands once the opening started only to be replaced when he was done? Or by Flo when he passed out? At any rate, Andy would always know where to find it.
Manitobaman over 14 years ago
Well, if that’s the tool he uses most……….
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 14 years ago
One tool does it all for Andy!
Yukoner over 14 years ago
Opening a bottle with a chisel or a screwdriver is really dumb.
runar over 14 years ago
A bottle opener is a sacred object (why do you think it’s called a “church key”?
Rakkav over 14 years ago
The one tool Andy uses and he’s a past master at using it.
lewisbower over 14 years ago
Andy, are your ears ringing?
WORDMAN33 over 14 years ago
It is called a “Church Key” because the first ones were made by the “Church” Manufacturing Co. company, so I’ve been told.
Plods with ...™ over 14 years ago
Aren’t the rest of the tools Flo’s?
Dkram over 14 years ago
Can and bottle openers are a thing of the past, most young people don’t know what they are.
Keeped one in my Pinto, (a small car) but the ding thing would hide on me just the same.
\\//_
photoman022 over 14 years ago
i’m surprised he doesn’t keep it in his pocket–he has to get up to get it–so much work, so little time!
runar over 14 years ago
Wordman, you’ve been told wrong.
Naming
There is sparse, and often contradictory, documentation as to the origin of the term “church key”, though most agree the phrase is a sarcastic euphemism, as the opener was obviously designed to access beer, and not churches.
Another motive for assigning the device such a name could have been the fact that beer was first canned (for test marketing) in 1933 — the same year Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Bill. This act, which predated Repeal of Prohibition, amended the Volstead Act, making 3.2 beer legal. Some experts have posited the term “church key” was a way to “stick it to” the religious organizations who had effected Prohibition in the first place.
jpozenel over 14 years ago
One size fits all for that particular tool.
Keeping his bottle opener on a nail also prevents Andy from overindulging.
When Andy can no longer reach the opener, then it is time to stop.
MurphyHerself over 14 years ago
Hhmm, wouldn’t it be in his hands once the opening started only to be replaced when he was done? Or by Flo when he passed out? At any rate, Andy would always know where to find it.
olmail over 14 years ago
Marine belt buckle served nicely as a bottle opener. some other belt buckles do also.
saltyftw over 14 years ago
You can open a beer with just about anything even another beer, if you want it bad enough.
oldguy2 over 14 years ago
Just squeese the can - it’ll pop right open.