[1] : Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001)

feature key n. common the macintosh key with the cloverleaf graphic
   on its keytop; sometimes referred to as `flower', `pretzel', `clover',
   `propeller', `beanie' an apparent reference to the major feature of a
   propeller beanie, splat, `open-apple' or officially, in mac
   documentation the `command key'. in french, the term `papillon'
   butterfly has been reported. the proliferation of terms for this
   creature may illustrate one subtle peril of iconic interfaces.

   many people have been mystified by the cloverleaf-like symbol that
   appears on the feature key. its oldest name is `cross of st. hannes',
   but it occurs in pre-christian viking art as a decorative motif.
   throughout scandinavia today the road agencies use it to mark sites of
   historical interest. apple picked up the symbol from an early mac
   developer who happened to be swedish. apple documentation gives the
   translation "interesting feature"

   there is some dispute as to the proper swedish name of this symbol.
   it technically stands for the word `seva"rdhet' thing worth seeing;
   many of these are old churches. some swedes report as an idiom for the
   sign the word `kyrka', cognate to english `church' and pronounced
   roughly /chur'ka/ in modern swedish. others say this is nonsense.
   other idioms reported for the sign are `runa' rune or `runsten'
   /roon'stn/ runestone, derived from the fact that many of the
   interesting features are viking rune-stones. the term `fornminne'
   /foorn'min'/ relic of antiquity, ancient monument is also reported,
   especially among those who think that the mac itself is a relic of
   antiquity.


see also:
splat 

[2] : The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03)

feature key
     
         or "flower", "pretzel", "clover", "propeller",
        "beanie" from propeller beanie, splat, "command key" the
        macintosh key with the cloverleaf graphic on its keytop.
     
        the feature key is the mac's equivalent of an alt key and
        so labelled on some mac ii keyboards.  the proliferation of
        terms for this creature may illustrate one subtle peril of
        iconic interfaces.
     
        many people have been mystified by the cloverleaf-like symbol
        that appears on the feature key.  its oldest name is "cross of
        st. hannes", but it occurs in pre-christian viking art as a
        decorative motif.  throughout scandinavia today the road
        agencies use it to mark sites of historical interest.  apple
        computer picked up the symbol from an early macintosh
        developer who happened to be swedish.  apple documentation
        gives the translation "interesting feature"
     
        there is some dispute as to the proper swedish name of this
        symbol.  it technically stands for the word "sev"ardhet"
        interesting feature many of these are old churches.  some
        swedes report as an idiom for it the word "kyrka", cognate to
        english "church" and scots-dialect "kirk" but pronounced
        /shir'k/ in modern swedish.  others say this is nonsense.
     
        jargon file
     
        1997-11-20
     
     
see also:
splat macintosh alt apple computer jargon file 

Feature >> F Words
Feature, definition of term: Feature
feature_pag1.html

Feature Film >> F Words
Feature Film, definition of term: Feature Film
feature+film_pag1.html

Church Key >> C Words
Church Key, definition of term: Church Key
church+key_pag1.html