Anyone with an OED? I need to know if rawl is a word

[UnderRated]

as in rawl plug (or anything else).

I suspect it isn't but I argued and argued that it was and I would hate to admit that I may have been wrong.

It doesn't appear in American dictionaries.

Please tell me it is a real word and not a proper noun.

[arfishy]

Rawlplugs were invented by John Rawlings - before then they were known as wall plugs. So, there is no such thing as a rawl.

[UnderRated]

No no no noooooooo

I looked on wikipedia and it said that.

It must have a meaning by itself?

I don't eat humble pie.

Argh

[UnderRated]

but thank you for looking

[VintageGardenia]

Rawlplug (noun and verb, capitalised) has an entry, but I"m sorry to say no entry for rawl or even Rawl.

Have a little custard with the pie... might make it more palatable...

[UnderRated]

Can I have icecream with it too?

[arfishy]

. No meaning by itself, it's just someone's name.

I always thought a rawl was something tbh. Like an awl.

[UnderRated]

How about rupee? Not capitalised.

[UnderRated]

Thanks for trying to make me feel better

[VintageGardenia]

Rupee is not capitalised.

I feel like those types in Dictionary Corner on Countdown .

Have you just come in from a night out arguing over the R section?

[UnderRated]

Yipppeeee, I'm allowed rupee.

Actually, arguing over the R section was Saturday night. I'm still brooding over it. There's no end to the fun in my house

Am glad you have been able to fulfil your dream job, VG. I need to go to bed before I my sulking gets serious.

[RoxyNotFoxy]

Ah, you were playing Scrabble, then? But if you were arguing that "rawl" was a real word, what did you think it meant?

[UnderRated]

No, it was Boggle

I don't know what I think it meant. I didn't know it was a trade name, I was hoping it might be something technical & DIY related that I didn't yet know about

[Botbot]

Just looked up 'rawl' on the OED online, and it gave me this:

Rawlplug n. A proprietary name for a kind of thin cylindrical plug, made of fibre or plastic, which can be inserted into a hole in masonry, etc., in order to hold a screw or nail. Also applied loosely to any plug of this type.

Also Rawl, a proprietary term used attrib. or as a prefix in names of tools, screws, bolts, and related accessories.

So you can probably get away with it. If Boggle allows trade names.

[UnderRated]

Thanks Botbot. I think proper nouns are not allowed. That was my problem.

I just looked at OED online to see how much it costs to subscribe and it is $295 a year

[Botbot]

Over here you can access it free through your library card - they've got some sort of scheme set up. Don't know if they do it over there. Details here

[VintageGardenia]

Strornery, no rawl or Rawl entry in my (print) OED, will check edition tomorrow.

[UnderRated]

Ok, I conceded. Humble Pie duly eaten

I really should know better than to play word games with a journalist.

Will see if my sister will give me her library card number so I can use the online version, thanks Botbot.

[UnderRated]

And VG

[arfishy]

I think you should definitely get an award for tenacity though. I would have backed down immediately in the face of journalism/scrabble player.

[cue National Anthem]

[UnderRated]

You're right, arfishy. I do indeed deserve a medal

[fembear]

It's in my dictionary:

rawl n. the anguished cry made when having to concede defeat in a matter of pedantry.

[UnderRated]