This is probably a stupid question but a valid one.

Why are clipless pedals called clipless when infact you do clip in them? Wouldn't clip-in be more appropriate?

Now let's hear some excuses.

ok I'll bite...Platform pedals have no mechanism for holding your feet to the pedal. If you put some kind of strap and toe cage assembly on platform pedals, it's called (I think ) toe clips. Clipless pedals, are pedals with much smaller platforms, but with a mechanism that allows your shoe to attach to the pedal that is compatible with the pedal, hence "clipless".

Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways? Jumbo shrimp?

That's pretty much it. If you don't have clipless pedals, you've got just platforms or toe clips(or no pedals at all). It is kinda weird saying, "I can't get clipped in to my clipless pedals." I'm guessing toe clips were around long before clipless pedals and that's how they came to be known as clipless or pedals without toe clips. Kinda like cordless phones or paperless bills.

I too have pondered this same question. I just call toe clip pedals, cage pedals. I think it more appropriately describes their function. Here's another question. Aren't platform pedals "clipless" as well? I think the naming conventions should be changed to more accurately reflect the function of the particular pedal. It'll never happen, though. It's just too logical.

strapless was not considered politically correct toward the feminin gender but would be a more appropriate term for the alternative to straps or cages on pedals

I wonder if people used to say they couldn't get "clicked" in with their cleats (because of the noise) and it just got transformed over time. There are lots of examples of this happening throughout the history of our language. (I can't think of ONE example right now, I'm still on pain medication for my wisdom teeth)

i think it an oxy-moron like when you call the really big guy 'tiny'

I'm no etymologist, but I'm going with the top clip -> clipless theory.