A small folding knife with one or more blades, originally designed for sharpening quills used for writing.
From 'pen' (quill) and 'knife,' dating to when writers needed to sharpen their quill pens constantly. The compound word literally describes its original purpose.
The Swiss Army knife is essentially a modern penknife—a portable tool kit that started as a way to sell surplus military equipment after World War I and became one of the world's most iconic multi-tools, proving that sometimes accidents create permanent culture.
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