Fob vs Keychain - What's the difference?
fob | keychain |
A little pocket near the waistline of a pair of trousers or in a waistcoat or vest to hold a pocketwatch; a watch pocket.
:* With a saint at his chin and a seal at his fob .
A short chain or ribbon to connect such a pocket to the watch.
A small ornament attached to such a chain. (See Usage Notes below)
A hand-held remote control device used to lock/unlock motor cars etc.
(archaic) To cheat, to trick, to take in, to impose upon someone.
:* I think it is scurvy, and begin to find myself fobbed in it.
(archaic) To beat; to maul.
A chain or ring to which a key may be attached
An ornamental piece holding such a chain or ring.
As nouns the difference between fob and keychain
is that fob is a recent immigrant (derived from "fresh off the boat") while keychain is a chain or ring to which a key may be attached.As an initialism fob
is (military) forward operating base.As an acronym fob
is (incoterm) free on board.fob
English
Etymology 1
* High GermanNoun
(en noun)- 1711 Jonathan Swift , Windsor Prophecy :
Usage notes
* The Jonathan Swift quote indicates that the word "fob" at that time period did not specifically apply to an object attached to the chain or watch. * A "fob" attached directly to the watch serves as an ornament and or as a grip for more easily pulling the watch from the watch pocket. * A fob attached to a drooping chain would be mainly an ornament.Etymology 2
(etyl)Alternative forms
* fubVerb
(fobb)- 1604 William Shakespeare , Othello, iv, 2: