When I first starting working on a set for Lizardland Video Film HD in the Phoenix Video Production community I saw that bags of clothes pins were always available. I soon found out that that these were NOT clothes pins but the correct term was C47. What the heck does that mean? My first thought was,Oh of course this is a man's world so of course they are not going to call them clothes pins. I mean how manly does that sound, "Hey Butch, throw me a couple of clothes pins" So of course I ask, why are they called C47's? Hmmmm, don't know, not sure and of course they are just called that! When you google C47 you mostly get hits of a military transport aircraft. You have to add the word grip to your search to delve into the world of the ever humble C47. Seems no one is quite sure where the term came from. Perhaps from World War II, a requisition number, or the amount in the bag. As for me I have used them for everything in our warehouse/studio. Makes a great hair clip too, which I have most definitely done. I always see our younger grips clipping them on each other in secret. Ha, Ha. Upon further research I have found on the great site DVXuser.com further definitions. It seems in the film community that amidst a time of great budget cuts they decided to rename them from clothes pins to C47's so they sounded important and would not be cut. Whatever the origin don't be a fool and call them clothes pins on the set. They might send you looking for focus fluid. More fun to come from LizardLandVideo.com
Also very useful as an earring for the well dressed if slightly masochistic grip. They can also be taken apart, turned backwards, re-assembled and then the are referred to as C-74's or bullets. This is a favorite trick of Brendon.
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