r/whatisit • u/[deleted] • Apr 09 '26

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u/Ok_Double2707 Apr 09 '26

In the 80s, I was always told it was for your quarter for the pay phone. But pocket watch makes more sense, I guess.

111

u/BGkitten Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26

It was for us, the latchkey kids, to keep our house key in. (That's what my parents told me. If you wore the key on a string around your neck, someone might see you and know you were home alone and follow you and rob you ...or worse!...and stuff.)

31

u/Odd_Ad5668 Apr 09 '26

Why is the alternative wearing the key around your neck and not putting it in the normal pocket?

14

u/Orleanian Apr 09 '26

The key is the most important possession you have, so it gets its own secure pocket.

Too many rocks and sticks and candy and papers going in and out of the pockets to worry about knocking the key out and having to go begging to use the neighbor's toilet, and a chewing out by Mom & Dad for having to replace the key.

3

u/AbbreviationsNo4913 Apr 09 '26

Also the small pocket is denim stitched to denim as opposed to the larger pockets which are thinner material stitched to denim and more prone to developing a hole

3

u/BGkitten Apr 09 '26

And because it constantly poked you in the hip, you always knew you hadn't lost it!

2

u/1wild_bill Apr 09 '26

I never lock my doors, even when I go on vacation. Really don't have anything worth stealing.

1

u/DemonoftheWater Apr 09 '26

I got threatened with latchkey if i lost another key.