church key

American  

noun

Slang.

1. a small metal can opener having a sharp triangular pointed end for punching holes in the top of a beverage can, as of beer.

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church key British  

noun

1. a device with a triangular point at one end for making holes in the tops of cans

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Etymology

Origin of church key

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The pie makes my mouth dry and I think I’ll have a nice drink of ginger ale till I realize you have to have some class of a church key to lift off the cap.

From The New Yorker • Feb. 15, 1999

One autumn evening, when it was very dark, he gave me the church key, and told me to go and fetch a Bible he had left in the pulpit.

From Emile by Rousseau, Jean-Jacques

It was not the church key, though it closely resembled it.

From Mildred Arkell, Volume II (of 3) A Novel by Wood, Mrs. Henry

The church key hung on its nail in the niche.

From Mildred Arkell, Volume II (of 3) A Novel by Wood, Mrs. Henry

Hunt just glanced upwards, and saw it was the veritable church key.

From Mildred Arkell, Volume II (of 3) A Novel by Wood, Mrs. Henry