propeller key
(foldoc) | feature key
beanie key
clover key
command key
flower key
kyrka
pretzel key
propeller key
(Or "flower", "pretzel", "clover", "propeller",
"beanie" (from propeller beanie), splat, "command key") The
Macintosh modifier key with the four-leaf clover graphic
on its keytop.
The feature key is the Mac's equivalent of a control key
(and so labelled on some Mac II keyboards). The proliferation
of terms for this creature may illustrate one subtle peril of
iconic interfaces. Macs also have an "Option" modifier key,
equivalent to Alt.
The cloverleaf-like symbol's oldest name is "cross of
St. Hannes", but it occurs in pre-Christian Viking art as a
decorative motif. In Scandinavia it marks sites of historical
interest. An early Macintosh developer who happened to be
Swedish introduced it to Apple. Apple documentation gives the
translation "interesting feature".
The symbol has a Unicode character called "PLACE OF INTEREST
SIGN" (U+2318), previously known as "command key".
The Swedish name of this symbol stands for the word
"sev"ardhet" (interesting feature), many of which are old
churches. Some Swedes report as an idiom for it the word
"kyrka", cognate to English "church" and Scots-dialect "kirk"
but pronounced /shir'k*/ in modern Swedish. Others say this
is nonsense.
(http://fileformat.info/info/unicode/char/2318/index.htm).
[Jargon File]
(2005-09-15)
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