Why are pencils called "pencils"?

• Admin
• 2024-05

In ancient times, there was a writing material called "lead powder" (not elemental lead powder, nor the white cosmetic lead powder used in painting or by women—this type was black). A classical idiom reads "to carry lead and writing tablets", referring to people who kept writing tools at hand to jot down inspirations or ideas whenever needed. "Qian" (tablet) denoted the unwritten wooden slips used for writing in ancient times. The brush used with this "lead powder" was called a "lead powder brush", or simply "lead pencil". In the Southern Dynasties, Ren Yansheng of the Liang Dynasty wrote in *A Memorial on Behalf of Governor Fan Seeking the Erection of a Grand Guardian Stele*: "Every household keeps polished silk and carries a lead pencil."

Later, when graphite pencils were introduced to China from the West, people borrowed this old term to name the similar-looking new writing tool, so it also became known as "lead pencil". The graphite inside was even called "black lead" because its dark appearance resembled the lead known to the Chinese. These are classic examples of using existing terms to name new objects.