Why is a doornail dead? Plus Shakespeare and gasoline

A doornail is said to be ‘dead’ for two reasons we know of.

Many doors throughout history were made by nailing the door parts together. Hence, doornail. Much like a fence gate today, doors were often just planks (rails) held together by pieces nailed across them (stiles) and maybe a diagonal brace. The nails were driven all the way through both pieces, then the tips were bent over. This is called ‘clench-nailing.’

In the absence of screws or other complicated joinery it was a secure connection. The wood was less likely to come apart so it stayed still. In other words, dead. Get it, dead as a doornail?

Another reason may be that house fires were common. After a blaze, many items could be recovered like earthenware, steel bowls and plates, utensils and nails. But because door nails were clenched, they weren’t recoverable and, hence, dead. In either case, you can thank William Shakespeare for the phrase.

Gas, Wax, and Flying Fast. After door nails, but before nail guns, carpenters pounded nails by hand. The speediest of them used a ‘hammer’ called a rigging axe. The fewer whacks (or licks) it took to sink them, the easier the work.

To get maximum speed with minimum effort, framers in California in the 1970s waxed their nails. How can you wax hundreds of nails?

Gasoline.

And wax.

Decidedly NOT a DIY tip, framers began their day by opening boxes of nails, pouring in a little gasoline and adding a bar of surfboard wax like Mr. Zogs Sex Wax.

Then tossed in a match.

The Malatov-moment insta-melts the wax, dispersing it through the box of nails.

Approaching a subdivision at sunrise with fires at each house would make a carpenter of today feel more like he was stepping onto a movie set like ‘Terminator’ or ‘The Walking Dead.’

Do you have more fun facts like the origin of ‘dead as a doornail?’ Send us a message on Facebook or on Twitter.

Mark

A licensed contractor, tool expert, wood and outdoor enthusiast, and elite Spartan Race competitor, he writes about home improvement and tools for national magazines and websites, and teaches hands-on clinics for other remodeling professionals. Check out his book, The Carpenter's Notebook.

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