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

He gave her the church key to take home.

From Aylwin by Watts-Dunton, Theodore

"That's not the church key," said Lewis, staring at the one just hung up.

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

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

The church key reminds him that “it is my sin that locks his handes,” and the stones of the floor are patience and humility, while the cement that binds them together is love and charity.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various