It’s been a while since our last Thingamajig Thursday. Today I’m naming that slim metal band, or clamp, that wraps around a pencil, holding the eraser in place. You’ll also find them stretched around a paintbrush, keeping the bristles tight, or the part of a violin bow that holds the hair to the “frog,” or base.

Also a verb, the word ferrule comes from the Latin viriola, or “small bracelet.” So next time you’re at Pearl Paint, or even Tiffany’s, whip out the dope on ferrules and tell that salesperson what you really want. You might not get any better service, but you’ll get a helluva lot of satisfaction showing off your knowledge.In the meantime, let’s come up with a better word for the ferrule. I mean, it’s a pretty okay work as far as thingamajigs go, but I know you smart readers can do better. Lay them on us.