# What's a "Squibb"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 7, 2010, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-squibb/542260 "2010-06-07T11:05:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-squibb/542260/21 "2025-05-20T07:06:44Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > They are (according to him) a shell with just the primmer, and no powder. Beats me. Also a similar thing in explosives: the thing normally found inside a electric detonator, that initiates the detonator. AKA a match. Not to be confused with a _damp squib_, which is loosely packed gunpowder in a non-water-proof container, used for heaving, which unfortunately has gotten wet (as such things occasionally do when placed underground). ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-squibb/542260/22 "2025-05-22T02:10:13Z")
Squibs are used to discharge fire extinguishing agents on aircraft, as part of engine, APU, landing gear or other fire protection systems. I knew the term and knew they were electrically activated by a sensor, but never looked into them to understand that they were basically explosives too. Cool! ---
**Author:** ![RedSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/67e7ee/32.png) [@RedSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedSky)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-squibb/542260/23 "2025-05-22T05:08:10Z")
A squibb is member of a boats crew, a squid is swimming underneath the boat. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-squibb/542260.md?page=1)