Last verified: April 2026
Definition
A crutch is a short cylinder of rolled thin cardboard (or a purpose-made glass or ceramic tip) inserted at the mouth end of a joint. It keeps the joint structurally rigid, prevents flower bits from being inhaled, stops saliva from collapsing the paper, and allows the joint to be smoked almost completely without burning lips or fingers.
Etymology & Origin
The word is straightforward: a “crutch” supports the joint the way a walking crutch supports a leg. The technique of adding a paper tip dates to the 1960s and 1970s, though it became near-universal in American home-rolling culture by the 1990s. The most common crutch material is the flap of a rolling paper pack itself — most brands (RAW, OCB, Raw Classic) perforate the pack specifically to tear off strips for crutches. Pre-rolled paper filter tips from brands like RAW and Elements became popular in the 2010s. “Filter” and “tip” are regional synonyms; “crutch” is the most established American slang.
Usage
- “Roll me a crutch real quick.”
- “No crutch, no deal — I’m not getting scooby snacks tonight.”
- “He did the accordion fold on the crutch, which is the right way.”
Standard technique: tear a strip about 2 cm wide. Fold one end in an accordion zig-zag (three or four small Ms), then roll the rest of the strip around the accordion to form a cylinder. The zig-zag prevents flower from falling through. Pre-roll the crutch before you start rolling the joint.
Related Terms
See scooby snack (the thing a crutch prevents), roach, and one-hitter (an alternative for those who hate rolling entirely).
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