Seccotine (adhesive)
Encyclopedia
Seccotine is a brand of refined liquid fish glue used for gluing paper and card and as a binder in gesso
, which remains flexible after drying. It is also used in the mounting of preserved insect specimens, as it can be dissolved in water if the specimen must be removed for further investigation.
Seccotine originated in Ireland in the late 19th century, where it was patented by John Stevenson. The original manufacturers were McCaw, Stevenson & Orr of Belfast
(founded 1876), but the product and its name were sold to the English Royal Sovereign Pencil Co. c.1967
It is one of the few tradenames to have its entry and etymology recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary
(1933 edition) where the name is explained as "apparently suggested by Italian secco, dry", though it is possible that the French sec (dry) may also have been an influence.
of the Franco-Belgian comics
series Spirou et Fantasio
is named after the glue.
Gesso
Gesso is a white paint mixture consisting of a binder mixed with chalk, gypsum, pigment, or any combination of these...
, which remains flexible after drying. It is also used in the mounting of preserved insect specimens, as it can be dissolved in water if the specimen must be removed for further investigation.
Seccotine originated in Ireland in the late 19th century, where it was patented by John Stevenson. The original manufacturers were McCaw, Stevenson & Orr of Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
(founded 1876), but the product and its name were sold to the English Royal Sovereign Pencil Co. c.1967
It is one of the few tradenames to have its entry and etymology recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary
Oxford English Dictionary
The Oxford English Dictionary , published by the Oxford University Press, is the self-styled premier dictionary of the English language. Two fully bound print editions of the OED have been published under its current name, in 1928 and 1989. The first edition was published in twelve volumes , and...
(1933 edition) where the name is explained as "apparently suggested by Italian secco, dry", though it is possible that the French sec (dry) may also have been an influence.
Popular culture
The recurring character SeccotineSeccotine
Seccotine is a recurring character from the Spirou et Fantasio comics, and the first major female character of the series, a strong-willed reporter...
of the Franco-Belgian comics
Franco-Belgian comics
Franco-Belgian comics are comics that are created in Belgium and France. These countries have a long tradition in comics and comic books, where they are known as BDs, an abbreviation of bande dessinée in French and stripverhalen in Dutch...
series Spirou et Fantasio
Spirou et Fantasio
Spirou et Fantasio is one of the most popular classic Franco-Belgian comic strips. The series, which has been running since 1938, shares many characteristics with other European humorous adventure comics like Tintin and Asterix...
is named after the glue.