Just for clarification: Don’t be confused. The first name for Duct Tape was DUCK. The U.S. Military needed waterproof tape to keep moisture out of ammunition cases during WWII. As a result, the Johnson and Johnson developed such a tape. The name "duck" came about because this stuff was waterproof, sort of like water off a duck's back. But woulldn't you know that it was discovered that the tape did a lot more than keep out water. They used it for taping over bullet holes in aircraft, repairing Jeeps, strapping stuff on their guns, repairing tears in clothing... the list is goes on and on.
Eventually someone discovered that the tape was great for joining heating and air conditioning
ducting. To make it match, the color was changed from olive drab to the silver, so people began referring to it as “duct tape”. Consequently, either name is appropriate.
Sorry to divert the discussion, but the question came up.