Quote Originally Posted by Rowan View Post
If we establish that it's no longer a key becaus it has no purpose, then what do we call it?
It could just be an object that looks like a key. Like I mentioned before, I have a necklace with a key-shaped pendant on it. Does that make my pendant a key?Nope. It's just decoration - an ornament or symbol, if you like. It doesn't unlock anything - it just looks nice.

I don't know how common they are in other countries, but do you see "Birthday Keys" in gift shops? You give them to people on their birthday to mark a certain, special age (16, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, etc...). It has the personal value of being a key that unlocks that age or new beginning in someone, but let's face it: it's just a piece of decorated plastic that's shaped like a key, that you'll probably display with pride until you grow old enough to realise it's just junk.