Subject: Re: -files-

From: [email-masked] (George Dixon)
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 1996 07:58:15 -0500

>Its a particular type of file, a bastard file. So called because it is
>half round
>on one side and flat on the other. "

In heraldry, the sign of a 'bastard' (in the sense of illegitimacy) was a
diagonal line in the upper corner box on the shield.  It is my
understanding that this bold, diagonal line is what gives the 'bastard'
file its name.
G Dixon