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Duck vs duct

I heard differently. During WWI there were "Duck Boards" in the bottom of the trenches during trench warfare. I believe they were called this because you walked over them to avoid getting trenchfoot, so it's from the saying "like water off a duck's back." Then they came out with duck tape to seal the soldiers boots, a la a portable duck board, which is why it was called duck tape. I can't seem to find anywhere to verify this though. Alex Krupp 01:19, Sep 1, 2004 (UTC)

See the Globe story below. The "water off a duck's back" thing has been mentioned before (although in a WWII context; I don't think I've ever heard anyone suggest that duct tape dates from WWI) and is generally associated with the dubious etymology exposed in the Globe Story. Without additional evidence, I think the consensus here is that the "duck tape" predating "duct tape" stories are fabricated, or at best conjecture. --Chinasaur 03:01, 1 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Also, the WP convention seems generally to be to add new comments to the bottom of talk pages. --Chinasaur 03:03, 1 Sep 2004 (UTC)

See the discussion on duct tape in Wiktionary. Neither duck tape nor duct tape seems to be attested before the 70s, and it appears most likely that duct tape came first. In particular, there don't seem to be any verifiable uses of "duck tape" from WWII, contrary to the widely-circulated story. If anyone has firm evidence to the contrary, please post it and let us know. -dmh (full profile on Wiktionary).

Well, it was a nice story wasn't it? I, for one, am somewhat relieved since "duck tape" just sounds stupid to me... Lemme decide whether to revert or reedit; I'll fix it by tomorrow.

Here's a link to a pasted version of the Boston Globe story: http://groups.google.com.au/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&selm=BA92B984.5D51%25nxk%40comcast.net --Chinasaur 19:20, Apr 22, 2004 (UTC)

Apparently there is a minor disagreement about the degree of phonetic similarity between "duct tape" and "duck tape". Someone changed my "same" to "similar", but there really is no way to distinguish unless the speaker actually pronounces the adjacent /t/ sounds separately, which is awkward and very uncommon. I don't know much about tape, but I have studied linguistics. So I will change it back.

--SamuelScarano 18:50, 2004 Aug 26 (UTC)

I was the one that changed it. Commonly here, the t sound is voiced separately, and anyone who says it as "duck tape" would be considered ignorant. (like saying "pitcher" for "picture") Rhymeless 05:31, 27 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Commonly where? In any event, I see now that it was thoughtless of me not to consider dialectic variation. Perhaps my blunder is mitigated, however, by the fact that duct tape is an American inventon and vaguely associated with American culture. Also, I have a hunch that my statement holds true of most English dialects, even though speakers often wouldn't realize it -- these things are often counterintuitive. (In fact, to the best of my knowledge, double-consonants tend to merge in many if not most languages.) --SamuelScarano 01:55, 2004 Sep 6 (UTC)

It was duck tape first

During WWII the tape was created for the military, and was used for water-proofing ammunition casings, among other things. It had yet to be used for ducts. It became known as duck tape due to it being made using cotton duck and for being waterproof. After the war it became popular in housing, for sealing seams in air ducts. So, it became known as duct tape, but the brand became Duck Tape. --brian0918™ 02:46, 8 Apr 2005 (UTC)

To quote from further up the page: In particular, there don't seem to be any verifiable uses of "duck tape" from WWII, contrary to the widely-circulated story. If anyone has firm evidence to the contrary, please post it and let us know. Can you provide sources? A search at the USPTO doesn't turn up anything earlier than 1981! -- Perey 10:43, 8 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Evidence

I did a search for the phrase "duck tape" on Ancestry.com in all the newspapers in their collection, between 1900 and 1950, and came up with these results:

• Berkshire Evening Eagle, The (Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts)
• Bridgeport Telegram, The (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
• Delta Herald and Times (Delta, Pennsylvania) 2 results
• Dixon Evening Telegraph (Dixon, Illinois) 3 results
• Lethbridge Herald (Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada)
• Mansfield News Journal (Mansfield, Ohio) 2 results
• Marion Star, The (Marion, Ohio) 3 results
• Waterloo Daily Courier (Waterloo, Iowa)
• Zanesville Signal, The (Zanesville, Ohio)

You have to pay to see all of these results, but here are a select few:

• From Berkshire Evening Eagle, The (Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts), 21 July 1949 From Berkshire Evening Eagle, The (Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts), 21 July 1949
• Bridgeport Telegram, The (Bridgeport, Connecticut) on 25 November 1947 Bridgeport Telegram, The (Bridgeport, Connecticut) on 25 November 1947
• Waterloo Daily Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) on 08 January 1947 Waterloo Daily Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) on 08 January 1947

William Safire (famous writer for New York Times) also gave the etymology :

"The original name of the cloth-backed, waterproof adhesive product was duck tape, developed for the United States Army by the Permacel division of Johnson & Johnson to keep moisture out of ammunition cases. The earliest civilian use I can find is in an advertisement by Gimbels department store in June 1942 (antedating the O.E.D. entry by three decades -- nobody but nobody beats this column), which substitutes our product for the "ladder tape" that usually holds together Venetian blinds. For $2.99, Gimbels -- now defunct -- would provide blinds "in cream with cream tape or in white with duck tape."

In 1945, a government surplus property ad in The Times offered 44,108 yards of "cotton duck tape." The first citation I can find for the alternative spelling is in 1970, when the Larry Plotnik Company of Chelsea, Mass., went bust and had to unload 14,000 rolls of what it advertised as duct tape. Three years later, The Times reported that to combat the infiltration of cold air, a contractor placed "duct tape -- a fiber tape used to seal the joints in heating ducts -- over the openings."

According to OED, the original term was "duck tape":

The entry for "duct tape" states:

duct tape orig. N. Amer. , a strong cloth-backed waterproof adhesive tape, originally used for sealing joints in heating and ventilation ducts, and (later) for holding electrical cables securely in place, now in widespread general use esp. to repair, secure, or connect a range of appliances, fixtures, and equipment; cf.

The entry for "duck tape" states:

duck tape, a strong adhesive tape made of waterproofed cotton fabric (a proprietary name in the United States); cf. *duct tape s.v. DUCT n.

--BRIAN0918

Camouflage

Did anyone catch the Camouflage comment:

"Camouflage duct tape, although hard to find, is useful making repairs to hunting equipment and other outdoors materials."

If that was unintentional, then it's even funnier!

Excellent! I didn't actually notice that, but very funny none the less. If only more Misplaced Pages articles had such gems.

I believe I wrote that text... although I didn't think twice about it when I wrote it, now that I think about it that's hilarious. --TexasDex 00:40, August 26, 2005 (UTC)

It is... shall we say... "difficult to locate stores wich carry the camouflage duct tape". i found it once... soldierx40k 19:56, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

Duck tape = Gaffer Tape? Duct tape is different

The tape that gets used to tape up ducts (Duct tape) has no cloth component. The two inch wide plastic-coated cloth tape is "Gaff tape". Ask anyone from theatre or film industries. Also called Hundred-Mile-an-Hour tape in racing circles.

The near-homonym duck-duct causes much confusion.

The picture attached to this entry is quite definitely "Gaff tape" --Myk 07:00, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

• Regardless of what it is now called, it was originally called "duck tape". — BRIAN0918 • 2005-12-9 18:12

"Gaff tape" actually has different glue properties than duc* tape. It is often used by theatre folks, who are ultra-paranoid about marking up their priceless stage floors and whatnot. However, I think this is drifting into regional dialects... thats just what gaff tape means *here*.

Where is 'here'? This needs to be cleared up. There are two types of tape; with plastic and cloth backing. And there are the two names. Here in the Netherlands, the term gaffer tape is used for the stuff with cloth backing (because it's used by gaffers). The stuff with the plastic backing on the photograph I only know as a cheap alternative that is hard to remove and leaves a gooey mess (quite the opposite of gaffer tape on both acoounts, for obvious reasons). Or are there better alternatives? By the way, this stuff does have some cloth in the backing, but gaffer tape is pure cloth (finely woven). Anyway...

Is this a Europe / North America difference? Or do the two names signify a difference in material? Or does the name depend on where and by whom it is used (eg, by a gaffer or a plumber). Or (the least attractive alternative) is it a combination of the three? Whichever it is, this should be addressed in the article.

Image-googling suggests that the name 'duct tape' is used for the silvery plastic stuff and 'gaffer tape' for both. Although, if the search is limited to the '.uk' tld, gaffer tape seems to be what I call that (the cloth backing). DirkvdM 12:54, 17 January 2006 (UTC)

"Here" is USA. Also, see the wikipedia entry on Gaffer tape... it mentions the different adhesive/residue properties.

"Here" for me is Australia, and the definitions here are as follows: Gaff tape (sold as Cloth Tape in Australia) - Strong white-coloured adhesive on a finely woven cloth base, sealed with a thin layer of plastic, which can be any colour, though black is predominate. Duct Tape Less efficient clear adhesive which leaves nasty residue after some time, PVC tape body. Duct tape is designed to be used once in situations where it will lie basically undisturbed. Gaff tape is designed for situations where maximum strength is required. Gaff tape is what race car pit crews use to hold together broken fairings. Myk 01:17, 2 February 2006 (UTC)

Astronaut?

"The astronaut, Eric Gloom, used duct tape to patch a small penetration in the ship's hull during a routine landing."

As there was no reference to what ship was that, I googled for the astronaut's name.

"Your search - "Eric Gloom" - did not match any documents."

Therefore, I believe that part is fake. - 201.9.22.39 01:45, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

With the Astronaut -- I believe it is Apollo 13, the CO2 scrubber issue was one of the isssues in the Tom Hanks Movie.

Duct taping keeks after the show???

What are keeks? And why would musicians want to tape them? --Slashme 14:32, 20 July 2006 (UTC)

So how's it used?

Duct tape is also sometimes used by musicians and on film sets and in theatres, although a more specialised product, commonly known as gaffer tape in entertainment circles, is preferred as it does not leave a sticky residue when removed and is more easily torn into thin strips for precise application.

The article does not go on to explain how musicians and film/theatre crews use duct tape. I think it should, because merely saying "They use duct tape too!" doesn't really say much. - furrykef (Talk at me) 17:45, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

NPOV the etymology

The story about this product originally being called "duck tape" is not verifiable by any primary sources. It should not be listed here as fact. It certainly should not be stated that it was "developed under the name Duck Tape" as that is blatantly untrue. OED only lists it as "perhaps" an alteration of the earlier "duck tape." No researcher has ever found any documented use of the word "duck" to describe the product this article is about, except for sources dated well after the use of "duct" and after the acknowlegement by the Duck Tape brand company that "duck" was a mispronunciation of "duct" and that they capitalized on it.

I would like to build some consensus here before making any edits. I propose the following:

1) Duck tape should not redirect. Duck tape is a centuries-old fabric product used in blinds and other products. That is not the product this article is about. The redirect makes it impossible for there to ever be a stub on the original duck tape. Duck tape should be a disambiguation page with two options.

• An alternative spelling, brand name, and possible etymological origin of the adhesive product duct tape.
• A strip of cotton duck fabric

2) In this article, all assertions of etymological origins should be removed, and a new section should be created called "Etymology." It will cover the two competing beliefs on what this product was originally called. In a nutshell, one camp believes that the previous existence of a different fabric cloth tape called "duck tape," which the OED cites as "perhaps" the origin of duct tape, in combination with a popular tale about WWII Army soldiers comparing the invention's waterproof qualities to that of a duck, proves that the original name of the product was duck tape (despite those two stories being contradictory). The other camp believes in a more conservative etymology, noting that documented use of the word "duct" known to describe the product in question predates any use of the word "duck" to describe the same, by many years, and also accepts the simpler explanation that people have just confused the effectively identical pronunciation of two similar but unrelated products.

See an example of the alternative etymology here.

Thoughts? --The Yar 02:06, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

• Did you see any of my sources above??? William Safire is definitely a reliable source... Also, I quoted the OED above; they don't say it is "perhaps" the origin; they say that the term "duct tape" comes "from the earlier duck tape". — BRIAN0918 • 2006-10-11 02:16Z
  • Yes, I'm very familiar with the article. Did you read my source? Safire cites the same two things I've already mentioned: 1) The previous existence of a different product called "duck tape" and 2) the unverifiable Johnson & Johnson folktale. A letter was written in response to Safire's article, attempting to clarify that the J&J tale was in fact folk etymology. Even Safire would admit that there is no documented use of the word "duck" to name this product until well after it was commonly known as duct tape. Also, perh. is an abbreviation for "perhaps." It says it is perhaps an alteration of it; it does not say that it is from it. --The Yar 02:23, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

After further review, it seems that the consensus already exists. With a single exception, all users on both this discussion page and the Wiktionary discussion page agree that the "duck tape" story is a hoax. I plan to make some changes to reflect the duck tape story more appropriately. (one more note - cotton duck is not and was never used to make duct tape) --The Yar 20:46, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

The "Ask Yahoo" Q&A link states some things that are in direct contrast with more reputable sources. I'm going to remove the reference and the claims cited unless someone ahs a better source. The Yar (talk) 23:04, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

• Information in the article is still inaccurate. See also user Largo Plazo's note below. --82.171.70.54 (talk) 14:07, 23 November 2009 (UTC)

sweet

That's totally awesome that the red green show is in the see also department, that's totally awesome, in fact that's actully what I came here to add but someone beat me to it. TotallyTempo 16:46, 22 December 2006 (UTC)

No need for NPOV treatment for etymology

The Duck Products company itself explains that it took the name "Duck Tape" from the earlier term "duct tape," according to its own account on its Duck Tape Club site. They don't even call it "duck tape" generically: they call it "Duck® brand duct tape" or, informally, "Duck Tape". They would know, wouldn't they? —Largo Plazo 11:48, 11 February 2007 (UTC)

• You are right. (Apparently it took over 2.5 years for someone to agree with you.) The article should be changed. --82.171.70.54 (talk) 14:02, 23 November 2009 (UTC)

No, Largo is wrong; that is a nonsensical argument. What makes the Duck company an authority on the subject? It's obviously in their interest to claim that they invented the term, and to appropriate it for their brand, but why should we go along with them, ignoring all sources to the contrary? -- Zsero (talk) 14:32, 29 November 2009 (UTC)

Rewording "Unusual Uses"

I personally think that it is more appropriate and fitting if the "Unusual Uses" section was re-phrased to be "Alternative Uses". Does anyone object? I'm going to change it. If anyone feels like it shouldn't have changed I guess post here and we'll discuss it? --FiftyOneWicked 05:47, 21 February 2007 (UTC)

Uncommon common uses

Uses aboard NASA space flights do not belong in the section on Common Uses. —Largo Plazo 18:33, 26 February 2007 (UTC)

DucTape Innovations

It needs in because it has instruction videos! where else can you find how to make a wallet in step by step videos! Ductapeinnovations 02:55, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

Well has picture tutorials on a lot more than just a rose, wallet, and bookmark, but it got removed, so no, it doesn't need in. PhirePhly (talk) 05:31, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

Pressure sensitive

The article says "strong, fabric-based, multi-purpose pressure-sensitive adhesive tape". What pressure sensitivity does this tape have? 89.240.60.214 21:23, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

see Pressure sensitive adhesive. The bond is affected by the amount of pressure used to rub the tape onto the surface. Pkgx July 16, 07

External Links

An excellent addition to this article would be How to Conveniently Carry Duct Tape Everywhere. Clearly, readers on this page are interested in duct tape - this is a non-commerical solution to the problem of not having it when it is needed. This would be highly valued by many readers of the page. Therefore, I ask if anyone objects to its inclusion in the external links section. Please keep in mind that a site about a duct tape coffin, and protesters against conservative art are linked here. CanDo 17:30, 14 July 2007 (UTC)

The site has Google ads (and you've canvassed numerous other pages petitioning it's inclusion). Please do not add it. OhNoitsJamie 18:03, 14 July 2007 (UTC)

More conventional uses?

Maybe more "conventional" uses for duct tape should be mentioned? Here is mine:

In South Africa, duct tape is sometimes nicknamed "boereband" (Afrikaans for roughly farmer's tape") because many farmers use it abundantly to repair all sorts of equipment.

Please add it if your think it is worthy of addition. -HannesJvV- 17:18, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

This looks like an ad for 3M's clear duct tape

seriously, did some guy from 3M edit this page? AD AD AD —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.74.80.112 (talk) 19:10, 21 September 2007 (UTC)

Probably not. All manner of duct tape is inferior to fiberglass reinforced packaging tape. It's much stronger, has superior adhesion to smooth, clean surfaces and it leaves far less residue when removed. It's also vastly superior for creating hinges or tow ropes . But you cannot tear it, you must use a sharp knife or a scissors. 70.130.37.218 (talk) 02:45, 29 October 2009 (UTC)

iPod Cover

That image sucks! Clearly a poor example of duct tape extravagance. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Richardshelly (talk • contribs) 14:19, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

Have to agree. It doesn't deserve to be there. Not funny. And I was thinking this first. Bitwiseb 14:26, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, I took care of it. It's just silly amateurish work that somebody thought was funny.--AyrtonSenna (talk) 20:33, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Australian Duct Tape

I would really appreciate it if people stop diluting the factual statement about the quite different tape that is labelled in Australian stores as "duct tape". If you buy something labelled "duct tape" in Australia, it will not be the same as the US duct tape.

It is really irrelevant to this fact that many people in Australia think of the US duct tape when they say "duct tape". The term "duct tape" refers to a completely different in tape in Australia, officially. Opinions and usage is a separate matter, covered at the end of the section. Myk (talk) 07:52, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

Different names, NO citations...

I don't think that a whole section should be allowd to remain in an article if it has no citations... ```` —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.52.228.218 (talk) 17:32, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

Duct tape in the United Kingdom

Generic "duct tape" purchased in the UK appears to be the same as the Australian variety, if the "Edwards" brand duct tape I've just bought (for one pound!) is anything to go by. It is waterproof (or claims to be), but is made of thinnish grey PVC with no fabric backing and has very little structural strength.

To get the American type of duct tape in the UK I think you have to ask for "gaffer tape" or for a specific branded tape, e.g. Duck (TM) brand. 217.155.20.163 (talk) 15:55, 24 June 2008 (UTC)

Etymology

The etymology section looks like it was written by two people having an academic argument, while an encyclopedia shouldn't look like it's been written by an individual..
I'm not an expert so I won't change it, but if "Duct Tape" is more solid, then that sect. should start with that, elaborate a bit about why the word "duct" is there, and then have a shorter (if possible) version of the alternate, less documented (?) spelling, "Duck Tape". - ailaG, not logged in.

DUCT tape doesn't make any sense

My father was a sheet metal worker who made/installed air ducts for a living when I was growing up, and this debate came up a few times over the years.

I'm surprised the one, major flaw in this whole debate hasn't come up more: the tape that we call 'duck (or duct) tape' CANNOT BE USED FOR AIR DUCTS.

Because Duck Tape is breathable, it can't be used to seal air leaks the same way as foil tape can, and it isn't strong enough to join ducts together, either. So why would this tape ever be called 'Duct Tape'? From a function standpoint, it wouldn't make any sense.

That's what I know of it, anyhow. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.38.113.250 (talk) 19:11, 12 January 2009 (UTC)

duct tape in the mid 1960's

As a struggling young photographer in NYC in the mid 1960's, there was a company that began distributing very small but powerful lights that had a flat base. You could then tape the base, using the company recommended (and sold) duct tape, to any flat surface in the studio, a relatively easy accomplishment since the lights were no where near as heavy as their predecessors. The value of the duct tape was that it would retain it's adhesiveness despite the heat from the light. Memory is uncertain but they may have been "Lowell lights" and I am even less sure if they were early halogen bulbs. They were very small, very bright, easy to place and the duct tape worked just fine. I don't know if this will contribute to the conversation but it predates the 1970 date by several years. Mavdoc (talk) 15:26, 5 May 2009 (UTC)

Standards for Duct Tape

Is there a national standard for duct tape? Specifically: Is there any law stating that any product calling itself "duct tape" must meet certain criteria? Have ANSI, ISO, or any other industry standards organizations ruled on this? Can the user depend on any roll of duct tape to be fit for a standard list of purposes and environments, manufactured and tested to nationwide/worldwide tolerances? Or is the user pretty much at the mercy of each manufacturer? Do we even have a guarantee that the stickum is continuous and the vinyl backing is nonporous? (Background: The article refers to "standard" duct tape a few times, but that may be a lax usage of the word "standard". If someone knows of such a standard, please provide a link/citation.) -- 172.190.162.230 (talk) 15:18, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

Cold

My understanding is that duct tape does not adhere in cold temperatures. The fact that Shurtape makes tape billed as working down to 25 degrees F lends some credence to this. (See the picture for the similar look to duct tape.) If duct tape does not work in cold temperatures, this is an essential fact about duct tape that would be worth mentioning on the main page, along with alternative adhesives that work in cold. 71.112.25.123 (talk) 08:54, 1 October 2009 (UTC)ATBS

Bear Bond

What relation does Bear Bond, a tape that comes in fairly large sheets commonly used for temporary bodywork repairs in NASCAR and other types of suto racing, have to duct tape? Who makes Bear Bond? I've been searching for hours on this, only to be defeated by idiotic search engines that insist they know better than I what I'm looking for. Try putting this into any search engine "bear bond" nascar -bearer -jefferson -stock -teddy -paddington and you'll still get thousands of totally unrelated hits including ones where the words bear and bond are widely separated. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bizzybody (talk • contribs) 01:26, 7 October 2009 (UTC)

Sometimes, you just need to go to the races and ask a few bold questions--of people with dirt under their fingernails. Desk jockeys rarely have it all. Frankly, I find duct tape inferior to other kinds of tapes and glues which are priced similarly.70.130.37.218 (talk) 02:51, 29 October 2009 (UTC)

Tuck tape

Also known as Tuck Tape in Canada. -- œ 23:26, 21 November 2009 (UTC)

Australian meaning

In the "Different meaning in Australia" section, it said duck tape while referring to a picture that clearly had duct tape. Was this a typo or intentional? I have changed it to duct tape as I believe it is a typo, if it was intentional, please explain why, and change it back. Black.jeff (talk) 01:53, 23 November 2009 (UTC)

Duct vs duct; article needs changes

If you look at the article's history page, you'll see that people keep changing the word "duck" to "duct" and visa versa, and the words are used interchangeably in some sections in the article (just search for "duck tape" and "duct tape"). The Duck Products company itself says the word "duct" was used at first - see the comment by Largo Plazo and also look on their website, plus it's a brand name. In other words, the word "duck" should only be used in the article when referring to that specific brand of duct tape. Anywhere else, including under the picture of duct tape, it should say "duct". And this is not enough: the article should start off with a clear note that 'in this article, "Duck tape" is used to refer to the specific brand, and "duct tape" to refer to the tape in general', because without it people will continue to change the article back and forth. In fact, some people will just think that the word "duck" anywhere is a form of vandalism and that the whole article should be reverted back to an old revision. --82.171.70.54 (talk) 14:18, 23 November 2009 (UTC)

What makes the Duck company an authority on the subject? It's obviously in their interest to claim that they invented the term, and to appropriate it for their brand, but why should we go along with them, ignoring all sources to the contrary? -- Zsero (talk) 14:36, 29 November 2009 (UTC)

The anon is right; duct tape is a generic term and Duck tape is a brand name of a specific product. Gaffa tape is a distinct type of tape that is primarily different in that the adhesive is intended for non-permanent adhesion and to not mar the surfaces it is used on. The article should reflect this. Cheers, Jack Merridew 07:27, 30 November 2009 (UTC)

Whether "duck" or "duct" is the original term is a matter hotly debated here, and Largo Plazo's argument from authority for "duct", adopted by the anon editor, is unsound. Gaffer tape, however, is irrelevant here, since as you just admitted it is a completely different item. One would not want to use duct/duck tape where gaffer tape was called for. -- Zsero (talk) 07:35, 30 November 2009 (UTC)

I'm just looking here. Duct tape is the proper name of the generic item, so it's simply a matter of sourcing it. And yes, Gaffa tape (or gaff, or gaffer's tape) is a different critter. For most things people commonly use duct tape for (which is not ducts), they would be better served using gaffa tape; that they don't is due to its higher cost and the relative difficulty in obtaining it.

—Sincerely, Sockpuppet First Class, Jack Merridewthis user is a sock puppet 07:55, 30 November 2009 (UTC)

You are entitled to the opinion that "duct tape" was the original term and "duck tape" came later, though by the Duck company's own admission that term was in circulation before it started using it as a brand name. But you cannot deny that there are multiple reliable sources which say that "duck tape" was the original name. It's a matter of dispute between sources, and so far nobody here has come up with a killer argument for preferring one over the other. -- Zsero (talk) 07:57, 30 November 2009 (UTC)