pretzel key

2 definitions found

pretzel key - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  feature key
  beanie key
  clover key
  command key
  flower key
  kyrka
  pretzel key
  propeller key
  
     <hardware> (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)
  

pretzel key - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  pretzel key
   n.
  
     [Mac users] See feature key.