Guy Wire?

The term Guy Wire, Guy Line, Guy Rope, or sometimes just Guy, derives from the French word “guie,” meaning guide or to guide found in use about 900 years ago. The Dutch, in the 1600’s, began the use of “guy” in terms that we are more familiar with today. Dutch ships used “gei” (which we now know as guy) as the name of the rope or wire they used to hold the mast or mainsail steady. Appropriately enough, it truly was a wire used as a guide. But the origin was from the French and Dutch, and their term for the tension wire they used to secure their structures. So, if you’ve been saying “Guide Wire” before, you can make an educated adjustment and amaze your friends and coworkers with your newfound knowledge.