# I really hate big paper clips **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 27, 2004, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563 "2004-10-27T23:33:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/61 "2004-11-11T03:54:46Z")
[Something](http://paperclipart.com/) to do with the variety clips you hate - all tastes catered to. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/62 "2004-11-11T11:13:52Z")
I, for one, welcome our new wire-hanger overlords. ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_LovelyLocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Lady\_LovelyLocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_LovelyLocks)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/63 "2004-11-11T12:18:05Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Shrinking Violet: AT LAST! Someone has the moral fortitude … the sheer gumption … to bring this matter out into the open. Huzzah! I agree! Too long has this subject been an undiscussable! Too long have we gingerly walked around this rotting rhino under the carpet! Too long have we been avoiders, now let’s attack! ATTACK! I, for one, like 'em both. Binder clips have their purpose. As do paper clips. But paper clips are much more able to work out their karma in this sick sad world, one that is filled with assine office policies, if they are colored. And, if you ever see a GOLDEN paper clip, bow down people, bow down, and weep with gratitude. For your rocky life path has led you to the truly evolved paper clip, shining out its perfectly aligned chakras/spirit/dialogic abilities ([http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/!treating\_overlays.htm](http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/!treating_overlays.htm)) for all to see! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Glassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Glassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glassy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/64 "2004-11-11T14:45:53Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > But what I really hate, more than any other paper clip, are the paper clips that are covered in that colored plasticy latexy coating. I _despise_ the plasticy latexy coating! Whenever I get one of those I just throw it away. That’s how horrible they are. I am willing to try to like the colored ones with the plasticy latexy coating, except they come in such betsy-wetsy colors. Pink! Kelly green! White! What is this, a fucking cheerleading squad? How about some nice autumn colors, or a range of cool blues and charcoal grays? How about a little subtlety and class? Or is that too much to ask, Mr. Maker Of Paper Clips With The Plasticy Latexy Coatings? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/65 "2004-11-11T16:03:19Z")
**Happy Clam Clip**? Is this the name of a beauty salon where you get a Brazilian? ::::::flees:::::::::::::::::: ---
**Author:** ![Terrorcotta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dbc845/32.png) [@Terrorcotta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrorcotta)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/66 "2004-11-11T17:50:52Z")
I wish they **would** buy us the black bulldog clips… They already make us bring in our own pens. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/67 "2004-11-11T18:15:28Z")
> [@Lillith Fair](#): > > You know the binder clips? The really little ones are okay, but the next size up you need to be Mr. Atlas to squeeze them open. I can’t use them at all. Flip with “wings” back. Place clip on sturdy table. Leave stack of paper with corner to be clipped nearest the clip. Place the heel of your hand on the clip and lean all of your tiny body weight onto the clip. With other hand stuff papers into “mouth” of clip. Remove weight from clip. Resolve to go to the gym more often in the future. A friend of mine, who looks like a delicate little girlie but is actually a strength-gymnast was once confronted by a annoying man who smarmily offered to clip the papers for her. She pulled the wings back on the binder clip (one of the big ones) and snapped it in half with one hand. He left her alone after that. Heh. ---
**Author:** ![jsleek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@jsleek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsleek)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/68 "2004-11-12T01:20:07Z")
\>the hangers… merge and form a shopping trolley In American they turn into bicycle frames. Maybe in England a bicycle is called a trolly 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/69 "2004-11-12T01:54:42Z")
> [@Proudest Monkey](#): > > Dear Abby, > I love all paper clips–big ones, regular sized, coated, bulldog, mutant, plastic, talking. . . In fact, every day when I come home from school, I find that I have unconsciously stolen 3 or 4 paper clips by safely secreting them in my pocket. I place them lovingly in the tray on my dresser (where they multiply), vow to return them to my desk the following day, conveniently forget, rinse and repeat. In this way, I have singlehandedly bankrupted my school district’s office supply fund. I’ve considered counseling, but I could never get the paper clips to agree to attend the sessions with me. They just ignore me, happily collecting dust and mocking me with the occasional escape to the floor and vacuum cleaner tussle. My friends say our relationship is dysfunctional. Is it time to move on? Sign me . . . > **Clipped and Questioning in ME** Since therapy is costly, and would inevitably be lonely, howzabout a 12 step program? You could go and just observe first, maybe bring along your absolute favorite for courage. Then, when you’re good and ready, make the leap by standing up and shouting your problem to the world! And there’s always donuts and nifty little containers for the friends that you _do_ keep. Seriously, we need more people like you. Do not let your voice be silenced. Health is just around the corner for you and aluminum alike. ~faithfool, BIG paper clip reformed for 18 years, 4 months, 3 days, 20 hours (and proud!) ---
**Author:** ![rehema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@rehema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rehema)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/70 "2004-11-12T06:32:56Z")
I can’t stand those fold-down clip thingies! I always feel like they’re going to come off. And they’re so big. Give me the big paper clips any day! And the plastic-coated ones are good because then they don’t rust and leave a rusty print on your paper > [@Otto](#): > > I like little paper clips. I hate, hate, _hate_ big paper clips. The big ones are like an inch and a half long. That’s just too big for a paper clip! If you need to hold that many papers together, get one of those fold-down clip thingies. They work way better and they aren’t goddamn big paper clips. > > I especially hate the big paper clips with the ridges. Those are just awful. > > But what I really hate, more than any other paper clip, are the paper clips that are covered in that colored plasticy latexy coating. I _despise_ the plasticy latexy coating! Whenever I get one of those I just throw it away. That’s how horrible they are. ---
**Author:** ![teleute12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@teleute12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teleute12)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/71 "2004-11-12T07:46:45Z")
Sproing! Oh, I haven’t played sproing in forever. We were hooked on that for a good month in middle school - or was it ninth grade? The teacher hated it. The big paperclips _are_ pretty good for that, though, because they have more tension which results in a higher sproing. Also, they’re quite a bit easier to bend. ---
**Author:** ![pqgenie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@pqgenie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pqgenie)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/72 "2004-11-12T14:28:04Z")
Thanks for making me laugh today ---
**Author:** ![SusanStoHelit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@SusanStoHelit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SusanStoHelit)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/73 "2004-11-19T20:31:25Z")
> [@Dancing Fool](#): > > It goes Paper-clips to wire coathangers as suggested. But then once the hangers have built up to critical mass, they merge and form a shopping trolley, which tries to migrate to the nearest shopping area to be with it’s mates. Unfortunately that’s a hard journey, and if you keep your eyes open you’ll see the sad remains of many a trolley that didn’t make it on the side of the road, in creeks, etc. Somebody’s been reading too much Pratchett (from _Reaper Man_, right?) ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/74 "2004-11-19T21:50:35Z")
> [@jsleek](#): > > \>the hangers… merge and form a shopping trolley > > In American they turn into bicycle frames. > > Maybe in England a bicycle is called a trolly 🙂 Yes, shopping carts here are quite capable of reproducing on their own. At least, that’s my assumption, seeing as how they always seem to be getting it on when they’re not in service. I almost feel guilty pulling one away from what is undoubtedly a good time. They must really be into gang-bangs, too. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563/75 "2004-11-19T21:58:38Z")
> [@Hal Briston](#): > > Yes, shopping carts here are quite capable of reproducing on their own. At least, that’s my assumption, seeing as how they always seem to be getting it on when they’re not in service. I almost feel guilty pulling one away from what is undoubtedly a good time. > > They must really be into gang-bangs, too. This really changes the way I look at the stupid carts that I can’t pry apart. :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-really-hate-big-paper-clips/271563.md?page=3)