When asked what one uses to get into their car most people would likely respond, “My keys.” However most of don’t really use what we’re talking about. Most of use the little clicker bound to the keys by a keychain. The car goes, “BOOP BOOP!” and we enter it. Only then does one use the keys to start the engine. The key is still useful for opening the door but unless you’ve clicked the clicker the alarm goes off despite your legal authority to enter it (well my particular car does anyway). In any case in the contemporary western system of symbols a key is a narrow metal thing that you poke into a (key)hole to open a door of some kind. However, a key is universally defined* as a tool one uses to gain acces to something else. A key on a map gives you access to the information on the map. They key to a code gives you access to what the spies are talking about. They key to the cupboard gives you access to canned chili. The BOOP BOOP clicker is one of two possible keys that allows you access to the interior of your car. Therefore, EVERYONE uses keys to get into our cars, whether it bee a grooved metal rod, a mangled coat hanger, or a red clay brick, and everyone who answers the question conventionally is right.

*The dictionary actually says a key is piece of metal with little notches that undoes locks.



(Side note: I had to retrace my steps to the front entranc eof my house soi could remember that my bright idea was about keys. Otherwise this post might have been about how it sucks to lose a good ideas. Key enthusiasts rejoice!)