Strop
/strɒp/noun
A strip of leather or other material used to sharpen or polish a razor, or a looped strap used for support or fastening.
Did you know?The sharpening sense is connected through Dutch and Latin to Greek strophos, meaning a twisted cord, while the same Greek root produced words describing turns, reversals, and dramatic downfalls.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*strebh-
“To twist, wind, or turn”
Ancient Greek
Greek
strophos
“A twisted cord or band”
Ancient Greek
Greek
strophē
“A turn, turning, or change of direction”
Classical Latin
Latin
stroppus
“A strap, thong, or loop of cord”
16th Century
Dutch
strop
“A strap, noose, or loop”
17th Century
English
strop
“A strap or loop used in nautical and practical contexts”
18th Century–Modern English
English
strop
“A leather sharpening strap for razors; later also a verb meaning to sharpen on one”
Explore more surprising origins