The aglet, best known as 'the little plastic thing on the end of your shoelace', is much more important than you may think. Without it, lacing your shoes would become nearly impossible. The aglet is used much like a needle is, by easily passing your shoelace through the holes, or eyelets, in your shoes.

The word 'aglet' comes from the French word for small needle, aguillette. The word aguillette comes from the word acus which is Latin for needle. Now that you know, maybe you'll be more grateful for this great little invention.