Keys used in the plural

[nq:1]It seems to me that people use frequently the plural forms of the word "key" to talk about their keys. ... more than one key? Or could it be that they are referring to a single entity using a plural word?[/nq]
In the case of the house at least for me it's keys in the plural. (I carry 3 house keys - front, back and gate.)
In the case of the car, I suspect it's an anachronism from the

[nq:1]It seems to me that people use frequently the plural forms of the word "key" to talk about their keys. ... more than one key? Or could it be that they are referring to a single entity using a plural word?[/nq]
I cannot imagine anyone carrying a single key. Keys grow in clusters. On just about any key ring there is at least one key of unknown use. It is the key that opens something one on

Tony Cooper filted:
[nq:1]In most houses there is a "key drawer" where old keys, like elephants, go to die. It is commonly considered ... the key drawer should make the journey, and the keys to the old house should be added to the drawer.[/nq]
I've got a few in my key drawer that never operated any lock...for a while back in the early 90s the car dealers here were running a series of promo

While it was 16/9/03 2:56 pm throughout the UK, Eamer sprinkled little black dots on a white screen, and they fell thus:
[nq:1]It seems to me that people use frequently the plural forms of the word "key" to talk about their keys.[/nq]
How many plural forms of "key" are there?
[nq:1]Apparently they do so even when there is only one key. Is this correct, and if so, why?[/nq]
I don't

[nq:2]Apparently they do so even when there is only one key. Is this correct, and if so, why?[/nq]
[nq:1] I don't think I've come across this. Are there many people who possess only one key, yet like to make people think they have several?[/nq]
A couple of days ago I was watching an episode of Friends (722), where the gang wants to drive Monica's Porsche. They first try to get the car key

[nq:2]It seems to me that people use frequently the plural ... are referring to a single entity using a plural word?[/nq]
[nq:1]In the case of the house at least for me it's keys in the plural. (I carry 3 ... not-so- distant-past when each lock had a separate key (ignition, doors and boot, petrol cap; ah, I remember it well..)[/nq]
I sincerely hope that it's not true that separate keys are

snip
[nq:2]In the case of the car, I suspect it's an ... doors and boot, petrol cap; ah, I remember it well..)[/nq]
[nq:1]I sincerely hope that it's not true that separate keys are an anachronism. When I buy my next new car, I will be disappointed if it's not provided with separate keys.[/nq]
Maybe it's different in the US I can't recall the last car I owned her with separat

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[nq:1]It seems to me that people use frequently the plural forms of the word "key" to talk about their keys. Apparently they do so even when there is only one key. Is this correct, and if so, why?[/nq]
When I turned 21 I wasn't given keys, I was given a key. Christ only knows what it was supposed to open other than trouble.
[nq:1]For instance, one might say, "I lost m

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[nq:1]In my experience, women have a "thing" about keys: they can't find them, they haven't got them, they must've left them at home.. Someone should teach them Rule Of Life #323: Women always have their keys.[/nq]
Don't you dare! The only reason my dear wife has put up with me for 43 years is because I can always be relied on to find her keys. My secret is simple.

[nq:2]In my experience, women have a "thing" about keys: they ... them Rule Of Life #323: Women always have their keys.[/nq]
[nq:1]Don't you dare! The only reason my dear wife has put up with me for 43 years is because I ... a.. Well never mind, but a woman will do anything to have her keys returned. Same goes for handbags.[/nq]
There is a variant to this my wife comes in from the g