We all have them yet clearly we don’t know everything about them

It is said that you learn something new everyday, and that seems to be the case with people learning about the purpose of the small hole in nail clippers.

Of course, the main purpose of nail clippers is, per its name, to clip your nails because not all people want Cynthia Ervio worthy claws.

In fact, experts have actually warned that having long nails can prove to be unhealthy, therefore if you don’t have a pair of clippers already then it might be time to invest in some.

Speaking to USA Today back in 2022, Jeffrey Kaplan, a biology professor at American University, said: “The longer the nail, the more surface area there is for microorganisms to adhere.

“Studies have found 32 different bacteria and 28 different fungi underneath fingernails.”

And it doesn’t matter if your nails are natural or false because there is an increased probability of carrying microorganisms, which makes it hard to clean with handwashing or scrubbing.

Kaplan further warned that the bacteria can be transferred to your system ‘by scratching, nail-biting, nose-picking and finger-sucking’ and can go on to cause an infection.

In addition to explaining why we should cut our nails, there’s a little known fact about clippers themselves that’s still leaving people scratching their heads to this day — that mystery being the small hole on clippers.

Many (myself included) have long ignored this design feature, presuming that it’s not really for anything, yet it turns out that the hole is there so that the clippers can be connected to things like keychains, toiletry kits, and so on.

A post on Facebook has gone viral of late sharing one man’s story about how he came to learn about the purpose of the hole.

The post reads: “My mother-in-law couldn’t stop laughing when she realized I had no idea what the tiny hole in a nail clipper is for. Now I wonder… am I the only one who never knew?

It is said that you learn something new every day, and the story of the tiny hole in nail clippers proves that completely. Most of us have been holding, using, and storing clippers for years, assuming we understood everything about them simply because they are familiar and unassuming. They sit in bathroom drawers, inside travel kits, tucked away on counters, and yet one small design detail—the tiny circular hole near the lever—has quietly puzzled and eluded many users. We clip, trim, and care for our nails without ever considering that a seemingly insignificant part of the tool has a purpose beyond its visible function. That hole, often overlooked and ignored, is not an accidental artifact of manufacturing, nor a decorative flourish. It is a purposeful feature, ingeniously designed to serve both practical and everyday convenience. Learning this transforms a mundane object into a surprisingly thoughtful piece of engineering and makes even the most routine grooming ritual feel a little more intentional.

Of course, the primary function of nail clippers is obvious: they clip nails. But not all of us are consistent or careful, and many underestimate why clipping is important beyond aesthetics. According to experts, nails that grow too long or become unkempt are more than an inconvenience—they can actually harbor harmful microorganisms. Jeffrey Kaplan, a biology professor at American University, told USA Today in 2022 that longer nails mean more surface area for bacteria and fungi to cling to. His research notes that fingernails can host more than thirty different types of bacteria and nearly thirty species of fungi. These microorganisms may seem minor, but they are easily transferred from nails to hands, and then into the body through everyday activities like scratching, nail-biting, finger-sucking, or even simple contact with food and surfaces. The act of trimming nails is therefore not just cosmetic—it is a form of personal hygiene, a preventative measure against infection and illness. Nail clippers, humble as they are, become the first line of defense against the hidden microbiological hazards that lurk just beneath the fingernail surface.

Even understanding the health importance of nail clipping, many people continue to overlook the small hole at the end of the clipper lever. For years, this detail has been ignored, assumed to be decorative, a remnant of design, or a quirk with no real function. In truth, the hole has a simple but clever purpose: it allows the clipper to be attached to keychains, loops, or toiletry kits, making them portable, harder to lose, and more convenient for frequent use. Small enough to go unnoticed, the hole actually transforms a basic tool into a functional travel companion. Travelers, students, and people who spend time on-the-go benefit from this feature without even realizing it, because it ensures that a grooming essential can be secured and carried anywhere safely. This tiny design element exemplifies how human-centered thinking in product design can create usability solutions that are invisible until someone notices them, turning a familiar object into a quietly brilliant invention.

Social media has amplified the wonder and surprise surrounding this overlooked feature. Stories have gone viral, with people sharing the moment they finally learned what the hole is for, often accompanied by laughter at how long they had lived without knowing. One viral Facebook post captured this perfectly: a man admitted to his mother-in-law that he had no idea what the tiny hole was for, prompting laughter and incredulity. His experience resonated with thousands who had also never thought about it, and the post sparked discussions about other hidden functions in everyday tools. The reactions highlight a universal truth: humans routinely interact with objects daily without ever questioning them. It is only when someone points out an overlooked detail that the world suddenly seems richer and more intricate. That small circular hole is a reminder that even the most ordinary tools often have secrets and design logic waiting to be uncovered.

Beyond portability, the hole also has subtle advantages in storage and manufacturing. In some designs, the hole can serve as a stabilizing point for folding the clipper or securing it inside packaging. During production, it can assist in alignment, hanging, or finishing processes, showing that what appears to be a simple feature may have multiple uses across the tool’s lifecycle. This multi-functionality demonstrates how even tiny design choices are rarely arbitrary; they often consider both consumer convenience and production efficiency. Furthermore, the hole subtly encourages thoughtful grooming practices: by attaching clippers to a keychain or toiletry kit, people are more likely to keep them organized, accessible, and ready for use, promoting regular nail maintenance. Overlooked for decades, this small circle proves that innovation does not always come in flashy or complex forms; sometimes it exists quietly, serving essential functions that only become obvious upon closer examination.

Ultimately, the tiny hole in nail clippers is a symbol of how much we take the ordinary for granted. It reminds us that even the simplest tools are carefully designed with usability, health, and practicality in mind. Learning its purpose provides a sense of curiosity and satisfaction, turning a routine, mundane activity into a small moment of insight. From health benefits and hygiene considerations to portability, storage, and subtle design ingenuity, this tiny feature enhances the everyday experience in ways most people never realize. Next time you pick up a nail clipper, pause and notice the small hole. It’s not just a hole—it’s a design choice, a convenience, a small hidden story about human thought and ingenuity. Understanding it transforms a simple grooming tool into something richer, more purposeful, and surprisingly clever, proving that even the smallest details can hold meaning in our everyday lives.