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

Those cans were heavy, and required what came to be known as a “church key” to open them.

From New York Times

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

Plenty of imagery is visible, including larger-than-life-size workshop tools, gardening implements, nooses, church keys and money bags, along with crows, snakes, chalices, picture frames and sailboats.

From Los Angeles Times

I failed at that, too; another reason to pull out the church keys, as we sometimes called beer openers.

From New York Times

I was hoping to convert him on our quick trip through the land of church keys and beer steins.

From The Wall Street Journal