Buckle
768332
222769017
2008-07-01T00:49:17Z
Kop
91555
/* Contemporary Uses */ The plastic "clip buckle". This does not seem to have it's own article, and probably shouldn't, but is not mentioned on wikipedia AFICT.
{{for|the store|The Buckle}}
{{for|the failure mode|Buckling}}
{{for|the English historian|Henry Thomas Buckle}}
{{for|the comic strip|Buckles}}
{{for|the dessert|Cobbler (food)}}
:''See also'' [[buccal]].
[[Image:Soelja.png|thumb|Archeological bronze buckles from southern Sweden]]
A '''buckle''' (from [[Latin language|Latin]] ''buccula'') is a [[clasp]] used for fastening two things together, such as the ends of a [[belt (clothing)|belt]], or for retaining the end of a [[strap]]. Before the invention of the [[zipper]], buckles were commonly used to fasten boots and other shoes.
== History ==
Buckles were used in [[ancient Greece]] and [[ancient Rome|Rome]], particularly in military equipment and military dress: on (sword)belts, armour, all sorts of equipment strapping, and on horse gear. The word "buckle" stems from the [[Vulgar Latin|vulgar Latin]] ''buccula'' - meaning "little mouth" - because of the shape.
Buckles were also commonly used in the [[Celt]]ic civilisation. In antiquity, buckles were commonly made of metal, bone and ivory. Because of the simplicity and durability of the buckle, it became popular in harnesses and embroidery, especially in shoes and boots. It was commonly used as a typical clasp for clothing until the zipper was invented.
The roller buckle is a mid-20th century invention; buckles with multiple prongs had already appeared in the 18th century.
== Contemporary Uses ==
Today, the buckle is most commonly used for belts, although it is still used in shoes and particularly boots. [[Tanker boot|Tanker boots]] employ the use of buckles because of the disadvantages of [[Shoelaces|laces]].
Buckles can also be seen on backpacks, watches and other wrist jewelry, or for ornamental purposes on other various objects. Buckles are also commonly seen in modern [[gothic fashion]].
[[Image:Arm_warmers.JPG|thumb|Ornamental Buckles]]
Buckles of completely different design, buckles usually made of plastic that fasten onto a strap in two places and clip together, are increasingly used.
A buckle can refer to a [[seat belt]] or [[safety belt]], as in the term, "[[Wiktionary: buckle up|buckle up]]." This originally military phrase from the cavalry refers to strapping the saddle to a riding horse, which means "get ready for departure".
In [[Canada|Canadian]] [[heraldry]], a buckle is the [[brisure]] of an eighth daughter.
==See also==
*[[Turnbuckle]]
*[[Belt buckle]]
{{Clothing}}
[[Category:Footwear]]
[[Category:Textile closures]]
[[de:Schnalle]]
[[es:Hebilla]]
[[gd:Bucall]]
[[it:Fibbia]]
[[nl:Gesp]]
[[ru:Пряжка]]
[[sv:Spänne]]