8

What is an alternative term for Swiss army knife?

As in a general multi-purpose tool. It is a word that everybody understands, but I would like to know some alternatives.

Clarification: The term Swiss army knife is often used to express a multi-purpose, versatile tool outside the contexts of knives or armies.

  • The Swiss army knife for writing books.
  • Perl is the Swiss army knife among programming languages.
  • Swiss army knife of codecs (Google's search entry completion).

I think that "multi-tool" or "one stop shop" are adequate alternative, maybe there are more?

1
  • Thank you for your answers and images but it were not the answers I was hoping for. I have updated my question.
    – dr jerry
    Aug 31, 2011 at 10:58

3 Answers 3

15

You might say multi-tool.

A multi-tool (or multitool) is any one of a range of portable, versatile hand tools that combines several individual functions in a single unit. -- from Wikipedia

4

Pocketknife is the most common term for this type of tool. All Swiss Army knives are pocketknives:

Pocketknife

But multi-tool would work, too, especially if the tool in question is not a pocketknife:

enter image description here

1
  • Thank you for the pics, really helpful especially "for a word that everybody understands"
    – dr jerry
    Aug 31, 2011 at 11:09
1

Wikipedia seems to give the answer quite clearly when it defines what a Swiss army knife is:

A Swiss Army knife .... is a pocket knife or multi-tool manufactured by Victorinox AG or Wenger SA.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.