Why Do the British Call Wrenches Spanners?

'Wrench' is derived from Middle English wrench, from Old English wrenċ, from Proto-Germanic *wrankiz ("a turning, twisting"). First used in 1790. 'Spanner' came into use in the 1630s, referring to the tool for winding the spring of a wheel-lock firearm. From German Spanner (n.), from spannen (v.)

Why do people call wrenches spanners?

A spanner is a tool that has fixed parallel flat faces opposing each other so as to be able to grip an object of the appropriate size. Because it won't grip an object that's the wrong size, that fixed gap spanned by the faces defines the usefulness of the tool (hence the name).

What does the British word spanner mean?

1 chiefly British : wrench. 2 : a wrench that has a hole, projection, or hook at one or both ends of the head for engaging with a corresponding device on the object that is to be turned.