UKC Forums - Karabiner? (2025)

In reply to eddie6655:

I once read that Brits spell it with a 'K' and the Yanks use a 'C'

In reply to anon1234:

Yeah, who kares?

In reply to Mellow Yellow: LoL

In reply to eddie6655:

Apparently the word developed from both german and italian words for a gun hook and as a result can be spelt either way.

In reply to eddie6655:

There is no English word for karabiner (except snaplink) and we use the German - with a K. Other words borrowed from German or French are abseil / rappel, crampons etc.

In reply to Monk:

I think the Italian word for karabiner more resembles the French - mousqueton.

In reply to eddie6655:

reminds me of the Monty Python sketch about the guy who pronounced "c" as "b", but could pronounce "k" (khaki, kettle, king's bollege bambridge) - he did admit that he was a silly bunt...

In reply to jon:
Top man!

I understand the HMS (K)caribiner is a reference to the bigger than usual size to accomadate a munter hitch (the HMS stands for the German name of the knot used??)

From Wiki:
The word comes from "Karabinerhaken", meaning "hook for a carbine" in German

<Carbine meaning short barreled rifle IIRC)

In reply to blanchie14c:

It is significant that both the French and German versions refer to guns.

In reply to jon:

> (In reply to Monk)
>
> I think the Italian word for karabiner more resembles the French - mousqueton.

That is true (hence I didn't say it came from the italian word for karabiner) but I thought it stemmed from the same root as the italian police militia, the carabinieri, however I can't find a source with a quick google so I am willing to accept that the c may be a result of anglicising in the 1930s american alpine journal.

In reply to Monk:

I don't think it's ever been anglicised, only americanised! It's always been with a K as far as I'm concerned.

In reply to jon:

I actually wrote that originally, but thought it sounded a bit overtly judgemental and changed it.
This is very frustrating as I was only reading somewhere the other day about the difference between c and k in the spelling but can't find it anywhere.

The interesting (if that is the right word for it) test is to see what each of the manufacturers use... Wild Country use K but DMM use C, as do Petzl, CAMP, Black Diamond etc. It appears that C is almost universal despite dictionary definitions.

In reply to blanchie14c:

>
> (the HMS stands for the German name of the knot used??)
>

That's right - Halbmast Sicherung

In reply to Monk:

Conversation overheard by comedian I was listening to on the radio the other day, swears it's true. Two women are having a blether, one of them just having had a baby.

"Awww, boy or girl?"
"Boy."
"Aww, and what have you decided to call him?"
"We've named him Marc, but with a c."
"What, like Cark?"

In reply to eddie6655:

And whilst on the subject if people want to shorten it, it's traditionally been "krab" for at least 50 years in the UK, not that horrible Americanism "binner" which has been creeping in of late.....let keep some dignity now please....

In reply to Trangia:

Are you referring to their 'correct' spelling of 'biner' or how it sounds when uttered by an american - 'binner'?

In reply to jon:

Both....

In reply to Trangia:

> (In reply to eddie6655)
>
> it's traditionally been "krab" for at least 50 years in the UK

Recently on UKC "karb" seems to be making a bid to become the dominant (mis)spelling.

Did you know that you can make a break for absailing out of karbs?

In reply to mike kann:

Bless

In reply to Martin W:

> (In reply to Trangia)
> [...]
>
> Did you know that you can make a break for absailing out of karbs?

know

In reply to jon:

> (In reply to Martin W)
> [...]
>
> know

no

In reply to Trangia:

thanx

In reply to eddie6655:
Oxford Dictionary of English:
"karabiner (also carabiner) >noun
a coupling link with a safety closure, used by rock climbers.
- origin 1930s: shortened from HGerman Karabinerhaken "spring hook"

and yes the karabinerhaken was a hook used to clip an sling to a rifle called "Karabiner" hence the name.

In reply to Martin W:

> Did you know that you can make a break for absailing out of karbs?

And did you know some folks even go karb-loading (no wriegates!) to build up their glycogen reserves? (NB Some doubt these days about whether it actually wroks...)

In reply to petestack:

You're loosing me here

In reply to craigloon:

Never heard of krabohydrates, then?

(Too lame to be wroth expalining!)

In reply to eddie6655:

That's nothing compared to the various incorrect spellings for "prusik" that you see, even in supposedly reputable publications!

In reply to Martin W:

> Did you know that you can make a break for absailing out of karbs?

How can you abseil using karbohydrates?

In reply to eddie6655:

Buxtons use 'Karabiner' - www.buxtons.net. But it looks like most people do use 'Carabiner'. It's a bit like 'stationary'

stationary = keeping still in one place, not moving
stationery = notepads, pens, envelopes (you get the idea).

Yet, when searching for notepads + pens etc, people almost always use 'stationary'. I wish things could be more simple!!