loid

[ loid ]

verb (used with object)

1. to open (a locked door) by sliding a thin piece of celluloid or plastic between the door edge and doorframe to force open a spring lock.

noun

1. a thin piece of celluloid or plastic so used, as by a burglar.

Word History and Origins

Origin of loid¹

First recorded in 1955–60; shortening of celluloid

Example Sentences

Alkaloid, al′ka-loid, n. a vegetable principle possessing in some degree alkaline properties.

From Project Gutenberg

Amyloid, am′i-loid, n. a half-gelatinous substance like starch, found in some seeds.

From Project Gutenberg

Loid like an officer and a jintleman—as he is, God bless him—to save a leddy, more betoken your sister, sorr.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Loid

What does loid mean?

The slang term loid means to open something locked, such as a door or window, by sliding something thin between the lock and the door, such as a piece of celluloid or a credit card.

Typically, to loid a locked door is to slide something thin through the crack between the door and the doorframe in order to release a latch or spring lock. 

A loid is a thin piece of celluloid, credit card, or similar device used to loid a lock. It must be thin enough to fit between a door and a frame and flexible enough that you can pull and bend it into the lock’s mechanisms.

Example: If we can’t find the key in time, we’re going to have to loid the door.

Where does loid come from?

The first records of the term loid come from around the 1950s. It is a shortening of the term celluloid.

Celluloid is a thin plastic made from nitrocellulose and camphor, normally used in the production of motion-picture and photography film but also effective at opening locks.

Did you know ... ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with loid? 

• celluloid

What are some words that often get used in discussing loid?

• angle
• burglar
• force
• lock
• slide
• spring

What are some words loid may be commonly confused with?

• Lloyd

How is loid used in real life?

Loid is a slang term used to describe using a piece of celluloid or plastic to open a locked door.

Fun fact 1: I learned how to loid a lock with my library card because I was a latchkey kid who forgot her house key often.

Fun fact 2: I once broke a window to get into my house when I was locked out. I broke it so cleanly, my dad said to me, "I can't even be mad."#GenX https://t.co/qtuVy8Sbof

— InfoSecSherpa (@InfoSecSherpa) August 22, 2021

Yep, but a single yake lock could have been slipped with a “loid” ( piece of plastic). Now show me it working correctly on a london bar, and decent mortice locks…

— mick wearing (@michaelwearing) July 29, 2020

 

Try using loid!

True or False?

You can use a credit card as a loid.