buttonhook

[ buht-n-hook ]

noun

1. a small, usually metal hook for pulling buttons through buttonholes, as on gloves, dresses, breeches, etc.

buttonhook

/ ˈbʌtənˌhʊk /

noun

1. a thin tapering hooked instrument formerly used for pulling buttons through the buttonholes of gloves, shoes, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of buttonhook¹

First recorded in 1865–70; button + hook ¹

Example Sentences

I drove the thoughts from my head and ripped at the shoe buttons with the buttonhook, yanking so savagely that one of the abalone rounds snapped free and rolled under the cot.

From Literature

Some are emblazoned with catchy brand names like Presto, U-Neek and Pullezi, and their resourceful attachments include saws, hatchets, chisels and buttonhooks.

From New York Times

One was a crafty buttonhook route, where Watkins found a soft spot in the middle of the Denver defense and ran untouched 10 yards for the score.

From Washington Times

Sam Houston gave me a buttonhook, and Lamar gave me a pincushion shaped like a fat red tomato.

From Literature

Early photographs from Ellis Island show health inspectors using buttonhooks to flip over immigrants’ eyelids, looking for the telltale white pustules.

From New York Times