Locksmith Lingo: Why it is Important to Know These Locksmith Terms

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Locksmith Lingo: Why it is Important to Know These Locksmith Terms

Every profession has its own terminology that it would sound strange to those who are not involved into that particular occupation and the communication with the locksmith to express precisely what is the problem presented in your house, business or office.

And this situation can extend to the professional in the area since they have to describe the job to perform not only to clients; in case locksmiths work for a service company, they have to write reports using the profession jargon so that report will be evaluated by the superior boss and it has to provide a clear explanation and idea of what the job was about and the tools and other implements use during the job performance. Since these reports have to be presented to associations and other bigger instances, they have to contain the right terminology to express the situation faced and the solution or solutions provided to that particular problem.

What are some terms in the Locksmith Lingo?

For instance, have you ever heard of the term slim jim? Well, if you think it is related to a diet product, a very thin man whose name is James or a piece of jerky, you are completely wrong if you are talking about locksmithing. So if you as a possible client, or an apprentice of this occupation, hear the term, you have to be sure what the term is about. Actually, when you hear slim jim from a lock and key professional, it is about a thin metal tool used to open a locked car door when the key is lost or inside the vehicle. These tools are legal to buy and they have been used frequently, so automotive industry has increased their security system to avoid the usage of this piece of metal in any car.

Another term that can be unusual to you is the electric lock pick gun. At the moment of hearing these words, locksmiths are referring to a device used mostly to open one of the most popular locks in the market: pin tumbler locks. This gun is provided with metal needles which makes the pins vibrate and then the lock can be opened.

Other terms that either clients or novel locksmiths have to be familiar with are:

  • A clutch head screwis a threaded screw with a chamfered rear face with fixed clockwise action and prevents the screwdriver applying torque when trying to undo the screws. In order to remove them, you have to use a drill. The main function of these screws is to make the clutch head screw tamper-proof, making it difficult to intruders to undo them
  • The term escutcheonis pretty hard to pronounce and it can be used to impress clients and friends as well. But don’t stop there, find out what it is and the impression you’ll make is going to be stronger. When asked about it you just say that is the cover for the key hole of a lock
  • Ever heard of any Anti-thrust bolt? No, well the term refers to a spring bolt, especial for a night latch, which is impossible to be pushed back when it has shout out and fastened a door; but this device can be remove using a knob or key.
  • The term cylinder has several usages in other occupations and professions, but hearing it in locksmith environment is referred to a part that is essential to locks and it is the depositary of the pins that would allow opening your door by the usage of a key.
  • Other interesting terms in the locksmith vocabulary include the sash – referring to the movable part of a window; rose, a round lock fitting; and bitting, term referring to a depth of key cut on a cylinder key.

To get familiarize with all the terms that locksmiths can used at a specific moment, you can check in Internet by searching several glossaries with most of the words use in the Locksmith Lingo, like the Locksmith Terminologyproviding by Timpson Locksmith Services

Why is it important to know these terms?

All the terms related to this occupation have to be familiar to all locksmiths and it would be great if customers would understand them as well. Since these terms are going to be used at the moment of purchasing any spare part or accessory necessary to provide extra protection to your already existing locks. It would make it easier to describe to the locksmith what the problem is using the right terms, so the job can be done easily and faster.

Additionally, turning into a certified locksmith requires the knowledge of all these terms, and the best way to familiarize with these words is by buying trade’s books and publications dealing with the area of locksmithing. However, it is not only important to learn and keep them in your memory, a professional on the field has to be in constant training and adding new vocabulary to the already existing terms from this job.

If spelling is not very strong on you, as a client or a professional, it is advisable to have dictionary at hand so problems with the ordering of a part or new device; also, the correct spelling of words is necessary at the moment of writing all paperwork related to the locksmith’s job. This is going to be truly important if you are writing letters or e-mails to other business related professional or companies and bad spelling and wrong grammar would not be very helpful for your company or professional reputation. Try to consult first the correct from of the term before taking any further actions in your job, so you are not giving a negative impression of your business or service.

Try to know all the words used in the profession, since some of the terminology in the locksmith lingo is pretty amusing and add some excitement to the language. Moreover, these terms also give a touch of class to the locksmith who can use them wisely.

 

 

 

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