My two cents contribution to the duct tape thread .....

Some ten years ago, when I was a recent immigrant, speaking broken english and
double dutch, I immediately realized that duct tape was a major ingredient of
American, twentieth century daily life. But I just couldn't figure out why it
was called "duck tape." Until years later I found out the name was really
"duct tape." Following this thread, I now don't understand why it's called
"duct tape."
Go figure ....

(Name withheld by editor)