Mixing
Word for the thief's key that can unlock anything
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Is there any specific word that describes or denotes a key, which helps thief to steal anything and anywhere, no matter what kind of lock there is; in a nut shell that key can unlock any locks e.g. of room, wardrobe, bike etc.
In some parts of Pakistan, people regard such keys as under, in Urdu as a possessive form:
ï¼ﻮﺠï¼ﺎﺑﯽ
Translation: thief's key. Or "the key of the thief".
I searched through internet so that I could get something from that, but I only found one adjective that is thieving:
'the thieving key'.
But 'thieving' describes a person, rather than any material... perhaps, there might be an adjective or a noun describing or denoting a key, which can unlock anything, and can open the doors for the theives to steal easily.
Afterthought:
I thought that the two-worded phrase master key might help here, but it totally connotes positivity of the key, about which I am not after:
master key (noun)
- a key that opens several locks, each of which also has its own key. [IMO, perhaps having positive connotation]
See that the a master key can be held by any hotel workers, and those keys are not made for the thieves. There should be a word having negative connotation, as previously mentioned in Urdu language: thief's key, as in:
The thief had [adjective] key.
Or
The thief had [noun for that key]
single-word-requests nouns adjectives
edited 5 mins ago
Baptiste Candellier
1031
asked 1 hour ago
Ahmed
2,4141137
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
Is there any specific word that describes or denotes a key, which helps thief to steal anything and anywhere, no matter what kind of lock there is; in a nut shell that key can unlock any locks e.g. of room, wardrobe, bike etc.
In some parts of Pakistan, people regard such keys as under, in Urdu as a possessive form:
ï¼ﻮﺠï¼ﺎﺑﯽ
Translation: thief's key. Or "the key of the thief".
I searched through internet so that I could get something from that, but I only found one adjective that is thieving:
'the thieving key'.
But 'thieving' describes a person, rather than any material... perhaps, there might be an adjective or a noun describing or denoting a key, which can unlock anything, and can open the doors for the theives to steal easily.
Afterthought:
I thought that the two-worded phrase master key might help here, but it totally connotes positivity of the key, about which I am not after:
master key (noun)
- a key that opens several locks, each of which also has its own key. [IMO, perhaps having positive connotation]
See that the a master key can be held by any hotel workers, and those keys are not made for the thieves. There should be a word having negative connotation, as previously mentioned in Urdu language: thief's key, as in:
The thief had [adjective] key.
Or
The thief had [noun for that key]
single-word-requests nouns adjectives
edited 5 mins ago
Baptiste Candellier
1031
asked 1 hour ago
Ahmed
2,4141137
1
It's a hypothetical key. And the use of the term is mere metaphorical. There may be no direct equivalent in other languages.
– Kris
25 mins ago
1
Positive or negative connotation depends on context: Thieves use master key to get into buildings, steal mail in San Francisco abc7news.com/news/thieves-use-master-key-to-steal-mail-in-sf/…
– user240918
25 mins ago
3
@user240918 They must have stolen the master key first to do that.
– Kris
24 mins ago
1
For the old style locks, 50-100 years ago, it was generally called a "skeleton key" in the US. But these don't work on modern cylinder locks -- must obtain the specific "master key" (if there is one), or simply "pick the lock" with a "lock pick".
– Hot Licks
17 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
Is there any specific word that describes or denotes a key, which helps thief to steal anything and anywhere, no matter what kind of lock there is; in a nut shell that key can unlock any locks e.g. of room, wardrobe, bike etc.
In some parts of Pakistan, people regard such keys as under, in Urdu as a possessive form:
ï¼ﻮﺠï¼ﺎﺑﯽ
Translation: thief's key. Or "the key of the thief".
I searched through internet so that I could get something from that, but I only found one adjective that is thieving:
'the thieving key'.
But 'thieving' describes a person, rather than any material... perhaps, there might be an adjective or a noun describing or denoting a key, which can unlock anything, and can open the doors for the theives to steal easily.
Afterthought:
I thought that the two-worded phrase master key might help here, but it totally connotes positivity of the key, about which I am not after:
master key (noun)
- a key that opens several locks, each of which also has its own key. [IMO, perhaps having positive connotation]
See that the a master key can be held by any hotel workers, and those keys are not made for the thieves. There should be a word having negative connotation, as previously mentioned in Urdu language: thief's key, as in:
The thief had [adjective] key.
Or
The thief had [noun for that key]
single-word-requests nouns adjectives
edited 5 mins ago
Baptiste Candellier
1031
asked 1 hour ago
Ahmed
2,4141137
Is there any specific word that describes or denotes a key, which helps thief to steal anything and anywhere, no matter what kind of lock there is; in a nut shell that key can unlock any locks e.g. of room, wardrobe, bike etc.
In some parts of Pakistan, people regard such keys as under, in Urdu as a possessive form:
ï¼ﻮﺠï¼ﺎﺑﯽ
Translation: thief's key. Or "the key of the thief".
I searched through internet so that I could get something from that, but I only found one adjective that is thieving:
'the thieving key'.
But 'thieving' describes a person, rather than any material... perhaps, there might be an adjective or a noun describing or denoting a key, which can unlock anything, and can open the doors for the theives to steal easily.
Afterthought:
I thought that the two-worded phrase master key might help here, but it totally connotes positivity of the key, about which I am not after:
master key (noun)
- a key that opens several locks, each of which also has its own key. [IMO, perhaps having positive connotation]
See that the a master key can be held by any hotel workers, and those keys are not made for the thieves. There should be a word having negative connotation, as previously mentioned in Urdu language: thief's key, as in:
The thief had [adjective] key.
Or
The thief had [noun for that key]
single-word-requests nouns adjectives
single-word-requests nouns adjectives
edited 5 mins ago
Baptiste Candellier
1031
asked 1 hour ago
Ahmed
2,4141137
edited 5 mins ago
Baptiste Candellier
1031
asked 1 hour ago
Ahmed
2,4141137
edited 5 mins ago
Baptiste Candellier
1031
edited 5 mins ago
Baptiste Candellier
1031
edited 5 mins ago
Baptiste Candellier
1031
1031
asked 1 hour ago
Ahmed
2,4141137
asked 1 hour ago
Ahmed
2,4141137
asked 1 hour ago
Ahmed
2,4141137
2,4141137
1
It's a hypothetical key. And the use of the term is mere metaphorical. There may be no direct equivalent in other languages.
– Kris
25 mins ago
1
Positive or negative connotation depends on context: Thieves use master key to get into buildings, steal mail in San Francisco abc7news.com/news/thieves-use-master-key-to-steal-mail-in-sf/…
– user240918
25 mins ago
3
@user240918 They must have stolen the master key first to do that.
– Kris
24 mins ago
1
For the old style locks, 50-100 years ago, it was generally called a "skeleton key" in the US. But these don't work on modern cylinder locks -- must obtain the specific "master key" (if there is one), or simply "pick the lock" with a "lock pick".
– Hot Licks
17 mins ago
add a comment |Â
1
It's a hypothetical key. And the use of the term is mere metaphorical. There may be no direct equivalent in other languages.
– Kris
25 mins ago
1
Positive or negative connotation depends on context: Thieves use master key to get into buildings, steal mail in San Francisco abc7news.com/news/thieves-use-master-key-to-steal-mail-in-sf/…
– user240918
25 mins ago
3
@user240918 They must have stolen the master key first to do that.
– Kris
24 mins ago
1
For the old style locks, 50-100 years ago, it was generally called a "skeleton key" in the US. But these don't work on modern cylinder locks -- must obtain the specific "master key" (if there is one), or simply "pick the lock" with a "lock pick".
– Hot Licks
17 mins ago
1
1
It's a hypothetical key. And the use of the term is mere metaphorical. There may be no direct equivalent in other languages.
– Kris
25 mins ago
It's a hypothetical key. And the use of the term is mere metaphorical. There may be no direct equivalent in other languages.
– Kris
25 mins ago
1
1
Positive or negative connotation depends on context: Thieves use master key to get into buildings, steal mail in San Francisco abc7news.com/news/thieves-use-master-key-to-steal-mail-in-sf/…
– user240918
25 mins ago
Positive or negative connotation depends on context: Thieves use master key to get into buildings, steal mail in San Francisco abc7news.com/news/thieves-use-master-key-to-steal-mail-in-sf/…
– user240918
25 mins ago
3
3
@user240918 They must have stolen the master key first to do that.
– Kris
24 mins ago
@user240918 They must have stolen the master key first to do that.
– Kris
24 mins ago
1
1
For the old style locks, 50-100 years ago, it was generally called a "skeleton key" in the US. But these don't work on modern cylinder locks -- must obtain the specific "master key" (if there is one), or simply "pick the lock" with a "lock pick".
– Hot Licks
17 mins ago
For the old style locks, 50-100 years ago, it was generally called a "skeleton key" in the US. But these don't work on modern cylinder locks -- must obtain the specific "master key" (if there is one), or simply "pick the lock" with a "lock pick".
– Hot Licks
17 mins ago
add a comment |Â
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
You are probably looking for passe-partout:
something that secures entry everywhere, esp a master key
Also skeleton key or passkey:
A skeleton key is a key which has been specially made so that it will open many different locks.
(Collins Dictionary)
answered 54 mins ago
user240918
20.2k855131
I agree that this is great option, but it's an archaic term.
– Ahmed
51 mins ago
@Ahmed - Not sure it is an archaic term. This is from a 2014 article: “After meeting in the militia, they supposedly went on a thieving rampage through Europe, ... anti- theft systems installed, using impromptu passe-partout keys†vice.com/sv/article/nnq39w/pink-panthers-greece
– user240918
44 mins ago
Oxford Dictionaries site regards it as archaic, see en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/passepartout
– Ahmed
39 mins ago
4
"Skeleton key" is exactly what OP is looking for. Passkey would probably fit, but, like "master key", implies legitimacy. I like passe-partout, but it really isn't in common use.
– TimLymington
14 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
You could call it a master key
: a key designed to open several different locks
- Similarly, hotel rooms around the world are vulnerable to a hack that lets an intruder mimic a hotel's master key and open any door.
Brian Barrett, WIRED, "Security News This Week: The Biggest DDoS For Hire Site Goes Down," 28 Apr. 2018
or a skeleton key
a key that will open several doors
Thieves may have used 'skeleton key' in Wigan break-ins
answered 37 mins ago
bookmanu
4,2991133
2
Perhaps worth noting that a skeleton key is a specific subtype of master key—a key with elements filed down to bypass the parts of a (poorly designed) lock that actually do the locking, instead operating the actuator directly. It is possible to create a master key for a set of properly designed locks without any of them being vulnerable to a skeleton key.
– Anko
11 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
The things that thieves actually use to open doors is called a lockpick or picklock. These are actually quite tricky to use, and won't work on all locks, although they do work on many of them.
A master key is something that is made to open all the locks in one building or set of buildings. Generally, managers and janitors have these. But these (or at least, the ones in actual use) don't open all locks; just locks that have been made so as to be opened by this specific key.
A skeleton key is a key that has been (probably illicitly) filed down so that it will open all of some particular class of locks. I don't believe that skeleton keys work on most modern locks, but they do work on old-fashioned types of locks, and so in the past they would have been very useful to thieves.
If you are talking about some mythical key that opens all doors easily, I don't believe there is such a myth in the English-speaking world.
If such a thing actually existed, it might be called a
universal key,
and in fact, Googling universal key shows that it indeed has been used with this meaning
answered 30 mins ago
Peter Shor
59.6k5114210
1
"Skeleton key" was (relatively) universal on old "warded" locks. Won't work for modern cylinder locks.
– Hot Licks
12 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
What about a master key
master key (noun)
- a key that opens several locks, each of which also has its own key.
answered 44 mins ago
Eugene
454
New contributor
Eugene is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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up vote
0
down vote
Perhaps, people might consider it a pass key.
pass key noun
a key to the door of a
restricted area, given
only to those who are
officially allowed access.
a master key.
answered 10 mins ago
James Wolpert
2512
add a comment |Â
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
You are probably looking for passe-partout:
something that secures entry everywhere, esp a master key
Also skeleton key or passkey:
A skeleton key is a key which has been specially made so that it will open many different locks.
(Collins Dictionary)
answered 54 mins ago
user240918
20.2k855131
I agree that this is great option, but it's an archaic term.
– Ahmed
51 mins ago
@Ahmed - Not sure it is an archaic term. This is from a 2014 article: “After meeting in the militia, they supposedly went on a thieving rampage through Europe, ... anti- theft systems installed, using impromptu passe-partout keys†vice.com/sv/article/nnq39w/pink-panthers-greece
– user240918
44 mins ago
Oxford Dictionaries site regards it as archaic, see en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/passepartout
– Ahmed
39 mins ago
4
"Skeleton key" is exactly what OP is looking for. Passkey would probably fit, but, like "master key", implies legitimacy. I like passe-partout, but it really isn't in common use.
– TimLymington
14 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
You are probably looking for passe-partout:
something that secures entry everywhere, esp a master key
Also skeleton key or passkey:
A skeleton key is a key which has been specially made so that it will open many different locks.
(Collins Dictionary)
answered 54 mins ago
user240918
20.2k855131
I agree that this is great option, but it's an archaic term.
– Ahmed
51 mins ago
@Ahmed - Not sure it is an archaic term. This is from a 2014 article: “After meeting in the militia, they supposedly went on a thieving rampage through Europe, ... anti- theft systems installed, using impromptu passe-partout keys†vice.com/sv/article/nnq39w/pink-panthers-greece
– user240918
44 mins ago
Oxford Dictionaries site regards it as archaic, see en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/passepartout
– Ahmed
39 mins ago
4
"Skeleton key" is exactly what OP is looking for. Passkey would probably fit, but, like "master key", implies legitimacy. I like passe-partout, but it really isn't in common use.
– TimLymington
14 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
You are probably looking for passe-partout:
something that secures entry everywhere, esp a master key
Also skeleton key or passkey:
A skeleton key is a key which has been specially made so that it will open many different locks.
(Collins Dictionary)
answered 54 mins ago
user240918
20.2k855131
You are probably looking for passe-partout:
something that secures entry everywhere, esp a master key
Also skeleton key or passkey:
A skeleton key is a key which has been specially made so that it will open many different locks.
(Collins Dictionary)
answered 54 mins ago
user240918
20.2k855131
edited 32 mins ago
answered 54 mins ago
user240918
20.2k855131
answered 54 mins ago
user240918
20.2k855131
answered 54 mins ago
user240918
20.2k855131
20.2k855131
I agree that this is great option, but it's an archaic term.
– Ahmed
51 mins ago
@Ahmed - Not sure it is an archaic term. This is from a 2014 article: “After meeting in the militia, they supposedly went on a thieving rampage through Europe, ... anti- theft systems installed, using impromptu passe-partout keys†vice.com/sv/article/nnq39w/pink-panthers-greece
– user240918
44 mins ago
Oxford Dictionaries site regards it as archaic, see en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/passepartout
– Ahmed
39 mins ago
4
"Skeleton key" is exactly what OP is looking for. Passkey would probably fit, but, like "master key", implies legitimacy. I like passe-partout, but it really isn't in common use.
– TimLymington
14 mins ago
add a comment |Â
I agree that this is great option, but it's an archaic term.
– Ahmed
51 mins ago
@Ahmed - Not sure it is an archaic term. This is from a 2014 article: “After meeting in the militia, they supposedly went on a thieving rampage through Europe, ... anti- theft systems installed, using impromptu passe-partout keys†vice.com/sv/article/nnq39w/pink-panthers-greece
– user240918
44 mins ago
Oxford Dictionaries site regards it as archaic, see en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/passepartout
– Ahmed
39 mins ago
4
"Skeleton key" is exactly what OP is looking for. Passkey would probably fit, but, like "master key", implies legitimacy. I like passe-partout, but it really isn't in common use.
– TimLymington
14 mins ago
I agree that this is great option, but it's an archaic term.
– Ahmed
51 mins ago
I agree that this is great option, but it's an archaic term.
– Ahmed
51 mins ago
@Ahmed - Not sure it is an archaic term. This is from a 2014 article: “After meeting in the militia, they supposedly went on a thieving rampage through Europe, ... anti- theft systems installed, using impromptu passe-partout keys†vice.com/sv/article/nnq39w/pink-panthers-greece
– user240918
44 mins ago
@Ahmed - Not sure it is an archaic term. This is from a 2014 article: “After meeting in the militia, they supposedly went on a thieving rampage through Europe, ... anti- theft systems installed, using impromptu passe-partout keys†vice.com/sv/article/nnq39w/pink-panthers-greece
– user240918
44 mins ago
Oxford Dictionaries site regards it as archaic, see en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/passepartout
– Ahmed
39 mins ago
Oxford Dictionaries site regards it as archaic, see en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/passepartout
– Ahmed
39 mins ago
4
4
"Skeleton key" is exactly what OP is looking for. Passkey would probably fit, but, like "master key", implies legitimacy. I like passe-partout, but it really isn't in common use.
– TimLymington
14 mins ago
"Skeleton key" is exactly what OP is looking for. Passkey would probably fit, but, like "master key", implies legitimacy. I like passe-partout, but it really isn't in common use.
– TimLymington
14 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
You could call it a master key
: a key designed to open several different locks
- Similarly, hotel rooms around the world are vulnerable to a hack that lets an intruder mimic a hotel's master key and open any door.
Brian Barrett, WIRED, "Security News This Week: The Biggest DDoS For Hire Site Goes Down," 28 Apr. 2018
or a skeleton key
a key that will open several doors
Thieves may have used 'skeleton key' in Wigan break-ins
answered 37 mins ago
bookmanu
4,2991133
2
Perhaps worth noting that a skeleton key is a specific subtype of master key—a key with elements filed down to bypass the parts of a (poorly designed) lock that actually do the locking, instead operating the actuator directly. It is possible to create a master key for a set of properly designed locks without any of them being vulnerable to a skeleton key.
– Anko
11 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
You could call it a master key
: a key designed to open several different locks
- Similarly, hotel rooms around the world are vulnerable to a hack that lets an intruder mimic a hotel's master key and open any door.
Brian Barrett, WIRED, "Security News This Week: The Biggest DDoS For Hire Site Goes Down," 28 Apr. 2018
or a skeleton key
a key that will open several doors
Thieves may have used 'skeleton key' in Wigan break-ins
answered 37 mins ago
bookmanu
4,2991133
2
Perhaps worth noting that a skeleton key is a specific subtype of master key—a key with elements filed down to bypass the parts of a (poorly designed) lock that actually do the locking, instead operating the actuator directly. It is possible to create a master key for a set of properly designed locks without any of them being vulnerable to a skeleton key.
– Anko
11 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
You could call it a master key
: a key designed to open several different locks
- Similarly, hotel rooms around the world are vulnerable to a hack that lets an intruder mimic a hotel's master key and open any door.
Brian Barrett, WIRED, "Security News This Week: The Biggest DDoS For Hire Site Goes Down," 28 Apr. 2018
or a skeleton key
a key that will open several doors
Thieves may have used 'skeleton key' in Wigan break-ins
answered 37 mins ago
bookmanu
4,2991133
You could call it a master key
: a key designed to open several different locks
- Similarly, hotel rooms around the world are vulnerable to a hack that lets an intruder mimic a hotel's master key and open any door.
Brian Barrett, WIRED, "Security News This Week: The Biggest DDoS For Hire Site Goes Down," 28 Apr. 2018
or a skeleton key
a key that will open several doors
Thieves may have used 'skeleton key' in Wigan break-ins
answered 37 mins ago
bookmanu
4,2991133
answered 37 mins ago
bookmanu
4,2991133
answered 37 mins ago
bookmanu
4,2991133
answered 37 mins ago
bookmanu
4,2991133
4,2991133
2
Perhaps worth noting that a skeleton key is a specific subtype of master key—a key with elements filed down to bypass the parts of a (poorly designed) lock that actually do the locking, instead operating the actuator directly. It is possible to create a master key for a set of properly designed locks without any of them being vulnerable to a skeleton key.
– Anko
11 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2
Perhaps worth noting that a skeleton key is a specific subtype of master key—a key with elements filed down to bypass the parts of a (poorly designed) lock that actually do the locking, instead operating the actuator directly. It is possible to create a master key for a set of properly designed locks without any of them being vulnerable to a skeleton key.
– Anko
11 mins ago
2
2
Perhaps worth noting that a skeleton key is a specific subtype of master key—a key with elements filed down to bypass the parts of a (poorly designed) lock that actually do the locking, instead operating the actuator directly. It is possible to create a master key for a set of properly designed locks without any of them being vulnerable to a skeleton key.
– Anko
11 mins ago
Perhaps worth noting that a skeleton key is a specific subtype of master key—a key with elements filed down to bypass the parts of a (poorly designed) lock that actually do the locking, instead operating the actuator directly. It is possible to create a master key for a set of properly designed locks without any of them being vulnerable to a skeleton key.
– Anko
11 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
The things that thieves actually use to open doors is called a lockpick or picklock. These are actually quite tricky to use, and won't work on all locks, although they do work on many of them.
A master key is something that is made to open all the locks in one building or set of buildings. Generally, managers and janitors have these. But these (or at least, the ones in actual use) don't open all locks; just locks that have been made so as to be opened by this specific key.
A skeleton key is a key that has been (probably illicitly) filed down so that it will open all of some particular class of locks. I don't believe that skeleton keys work on most modern locks, but they do work on old-fashioned types of locks, and so in the past they would have been very useful to thieves.
If you are talking about some mythical key that opens all doors easily, I don't believe there is such a myth in the English-speaking world.
If such a thing actually existed, it might be called a
universal key,
and in fact, Googling universal key shows that it indeed has been used with this meaning
answered 30 mins ago
Peter Shor
59.6k5114210
1
"Skeleton key" was (relatively) universal on old "warded" locks. Won't work for modern cylinder locks.
– Hot Licks
12 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
The things that thieves actually use to open doors is called a lockpick or picklock. These are actually quite tricky to use, and won't work on all locks, although they do work on many of them.
A master key is something that is made to open all the locks in one building or set of buildings. Generally, managers and janitors have these. But these (or at least, the ones in actual use) don't open all locks; just locks that have been made so as to be opened by this specific key.
A skeleton key is a key that has been (probably illicitly) filed down so that it will open all of some particular class of locks. I don't believe that skeleton keys work on most modern locks, but they do work on old-fashioned types of locks, and so in the past they would have been very useful to thieves.
If you are talking about some mythical key that opens all doors easily, I don't believe there is such a myth in the English-speaking world.
If such a thing actually existed, it might be called a
universal key,
and in fact, Googling universal key shows that it indeed has been used with this meaning
answered 30 mins ago
Peter Shor
59.6k5114210
1
"Skeleton key" was (relatively) universal on old "warded" locks. Won't work for modern cylinder locks.
– Hot Licks
12 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
The things that thieves actually use to open doors is called a lockpick or picklock. These are actually quite tricky to use, and won't work on all locks, although they do work on many of them.
A master key is something that is made to open all the locks in one building or set of buildings. Generally, managers and janitors have these. But these (or at least, the ones in actual use) don't open all locks; just locks that have been made so as to be opened by this specific key.
A skeleton key is a key that has been (probably illicitly) filed down so that it will open all of some particular class of locks. I don't believe that skeleton keys work on most modern locks, but they do work on old-fashioned types of locks, and so in the past they would have been very useful to thieves.
If you are talking about some mythical key that opens all doors easily, I don't believe there is such a myth in the English-speaking world.
If such a thing actually existed, it might be called a
universal key,
and in fact, Googling universal key shows that it indeed has been used with this meaning
answered 30 mins ago
Peter Shor
59.6k5114210
The things that thieves actually use to open doors is called a lockpick or picklock. These are actually quite tricky to use, and won't work on all locks, although they do work on many of them.
A master key is something that is made to open all the locks in one building or set of buildings. Generally, managers and janitors have these. But these (or at least, the ones in actual use) don't open all locks; just locks that have been made so as to be opened by this specific key.
A skeleton key is a key that has been (probably illicitly) filed down so that it will open all of some particular class of locks. I don't believe that skeleton keys work on most modern locks, but they do work on old-fashioned types of locks, and so in the past they would have been very useful to thieves.
If you are talking about some mythical key that opens all doors easily, I don't believe there is such a myth in the English-speaking world.
If such a thing actually existed, it might be called a
universal key,
and in fact, Googling universal key shows that it indeed has been used with this meaning
answered 30 mins ago
Peter Shor
59.6k5114210
edited 15 mins ago
answered 30 mins ago
Peter Shor
59.6k5114210
answered 30 mins ago
Peter Shor
59.6k5114210
answered 30 mins ago
Peter Shor
59.6k5114210
59.6k5114210
1
"Skeleton key" was (relatively) universal on old "warded" locks. Won't work for modern cylinder locks.
– Hot Licks
12 mins ago
add a comment |Â
1
"Skeleton key" was (relatively) universal on old "warded" locks. Won't work for modern cylinder locks.
– Hot Licks
12 mins ago
1
1
"Skeleton key" was (relatively) universal on old "warded" locks. Won't work for modern cylinder locks.
– Hot Licks
12 mins ago
"Skeleton key" was (relatively) universal on old "warded" locks. Won't work for modern cylinder locks.
– Hot Licks
12 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
What about a master key
master key (noun)
- a key that opens several locks, each of which also has its own key.
answered 44 mins ago
Eugene
454
New contributor
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add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
What about a master key
master key (noun)
- a key that opens several locks, each of which also has its own key.
answered 44 mins ago
Eugene
454
New contributor
Eugene is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
What about a master key
master key (noun)
- a key that opens several locks, each of which also has its own key.
answered 44 mins ago
Eugene
454
New contributor
Eugene is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
What about a master key
master key (noun)
- a key that opens several locks, each of which also has its own key.
answered 44 mins ago
Eugene
454
New contributor
Eugene is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 44 mins ago
Eugene
454
New contributor
Eugene is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 44 mins ago
Eugene
454
answered 44 mins ago
Eugene
454
454
New contributor
Eugene is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Eugene is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Eugene is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Perhaps, people might consider it a pass key.
pass key noun
a key to the door of a
restricted area, given
only to those who are
officially allowed access.
a master key.
answered 10 mins ago
James Wolpert
2512
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Perhaps, people might consider it a pass key.
pass key noun
a key to the door of a
restricted area, given
only to those who are
officially allowed access.
a master key.
answered 10 mins ago
James Wolpert
2512
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Perhaps, people might consider it a pass key.
pass key noun
a key to the door of a
restricted area, given
only to those who are
officially allowed access.
a master key.
answered 10 mins ago
James Wolpert
2512
Perhaps, people might consider it a pass key.
pass key noun
a key to the door of a
restricted area, given
only to those who are
officially allowed access.
a master key.
answered 10 mins ago
James Wolpert
2512
answered 10 mins ago
James Wolpert
2512
answered 10 mins ago
James Wolpert
2512
answered 10 mins ago
James Wolpert
2512
2512
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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1
It's a hypothetical key. And the use of the term is mere metaphorical. There may be no direct equivalent in other languages.
– Kris
25 mins ago
1
Positive or negative connotation depends on context: Thieves use master key to get into buildings, steal mail in San Francisco abc7news.com/news/thieves-use-master-key-to-steal-mail-in-sf/…
– user240918
25 mins ago
3
@user240918 They must have stolen the master key first to do that.
– Kris
24 mins ago
1
For the old style locks, 50-100 years ago, it was generally called a "skeleton key" in the US. But these don't work on modern cylinder locks -- must obtain the specific "master key" (if there is one), or simply "pick the lock" with a "lock pick".
– Hot Licks
17 mins ago