Aglet: Javasite.org

For the Java-based mobile agent platform, see Aglets.

Three identical shoelaces tipped with three different aglets: Copper, plastic and brass

An aglet or aiglet is a small plastic or metal sheath typically found on the ends of shoelaces, cords and drawstrings. Aglets keep the fibers from unraveling, plus their firmness and narrow profile makes them easier to hold and feed through the eyelets, lugs or other lacing guides.

The word "aglet" (or "aiglet") comes from Old French "aguillette" (or "aiguillette"), which is the diminutive of "aguille" (or "aiguilee"), meaning "needle".^[1] This in turn comes from "acus", the original Latin word for needle. An aglet is thus like a small "needle" at the end of a cord.

Aglets today are most often made of clear plastic, but in times past aglets were made of metal, glass, or stone. Many were highly ornamental, and made of precious metals such as silver. Before the invention of buttons, they were used on the ends of ribbons to fasten clothing together. Sometimes they would be formed into small figures. Shakespeare calls this type of figure an "aglet baby" in The Taming of the Shrew. (See aiguillette (ornament).) Purely decorative metal ornaments called aiguillette are sometimes features of modern military dress uniforms.

For a time during the Great Depression aglets were made out of paper and glue.^{[citation needed]}

In popular culture

In an episode of Justice League Unlimited, the Question, under interrogation, describes aglets and claims that "their true purpose is sinister."

In an episode of "The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody", London says: "The small thing at the end of a shoe lace that nobody knows the name of", to which Maddie replies: "You mean an aglet?"

In an Archie comic, Jughead and Archie have a packet of aglets and Veronica overhears both of them talking about how hard it is to find these aglets. Veronica then mistakenly believes "aglets" to be an endangered animal.

In the 1988 film "Cocktail", Flanagan (Tom Cruise) ponders who invented the plastic things at the ends of laces, to which Jordan (Elisabeth Shue) responds: "It's probably got one of those weird names too like - aahh, flugelbinder."