Slang (Construction)

Construction Slang for contractors, electricians, plumbers, and more.


Slang: 
As used within this National Tradesman website, the word slang refers to trade slang and terms. As such we have compiled a list of terms used in the construction trades. Feel free to suggest more in the comment section at the bottom of this page:


General Construction Slang and Terms

Butter
Mortar.
Eyeball
Visual determination without using measuring tools.
High Chair
A heavy wire chair-shaped device used to hold steel reinforcement off the bottom of the slab during the placement of concrete.
Honey Hole
Porta-potty.
Honey Wagon
Porta-potty servicing truck.
Hot Wrench
When using a torch to heat or cut off a bolt/nut that wont budge with a wrench.
Gaggin Wagon
Lunch truck.
Maggot Wagon
Lunch truck.
New York Screwdriver
Large hammer.
Roach Coach
Lunch truck.
Whiskey Stick
A level. Because the sight-glass vials have alcohol to prevent freezing.

Electrical Slang and Terms

Beater
Old screwdriver used as a chisel.
Bug
Split-bolt connector.
Burndy
Split-bolt connector.
Burndy Bolt
Split-bolt connector with an integral threaded stud.
BX
Type AC Cable (Armored Cable).
Can
Panel or meter enclosure box.
CT Can
Current transformer enclosure used by the PoCo for metering.
PT Can
Potential transformer enclosure used by the PoCo for metering.
Disco
Disconnect switch..
Dikes
Diagonal cutter pliers.
Electricians Chisel
Large flat head screwdriver.
Electricians Hammer
Linesman pliers.
Fart Skin
Anti-short bushing.
Full House
Full complement of circuit conductors: Black, Red, Blue, White, Green.
Grease
Anti-oxide for connections
Hickey
Pipe bending tool for rigid conduit.
Hickey
Threaded fitting used within boxes to couple a threaded fixture nipple (usually 3/8″) to a threaded box stud. Usually associated with old work.
IBEW
I Block Every Walkway
Judge
Inspector, AHJ
Madisons
Old-work switch box support straps.
Mouse
Foam plug used to blow or vac through pipe/conduit with string attached which is then used for measuring pipe length and/or pulling wires or a larger rope through it.
Mineralacs
Single-bolt steel conduit hangers.
Nipple
Short piece of conduit, usually 12″ or less, threaded on both ends.
Noodle
Neutral conductor.
Outhouse Cover
Outdoor duplex receptacle cover.
Peckerhead
Termination box on an electric motor. Seems to be a mystery as to how the term peckerhead originated but we at NationalTradesman.com have the answer and it is one of folklore… Click here: The Story of Peckerhead
Pig
Garbage disposal.
Poco
Power company.
Red Head
Anti-short bushing.
Romex
Type NM Cable (Non-metallic Sheathed Cable).
Round House
Full complement of circuit conductors: Black, Red, Blue, White, Green.
Shock Absorber
An electrical apprentice.
Soap
Wire pulling lubricant.
Walking Crab
Lever lift for line work.
Wabbits
Wire trimmings/bits, usually copper, salvaged from job and taken to salvage yard.
(Wire bits… Wa-bits… Wabbits… Get it?)
Wabbit Gun
Cable cutters, usually large ratcheting type.
Widdle Wabbits
Smaller size wire trimmings/scrap from job usually taken to salvage and sold.
Widdle Wabbit Gun
Linesman pliers.
Wildcat Connection
Three-phase Four-wire Delta Connection

Engineering Slang and Terms

Balls
A land surveying term referring to a measurement ending in double zero. For example, a measurement of 12.00 is referred to as “12 balls.”

Equipment Operator Slang and Terms

Bubble Butt
Skilled ability of an equipment operator to run a grade.
Gear Jammer
Truck driver.
Two Block
Unflattering name for a crane operator that has hoisted the hook into the boom.

Ironworker Slang and Terms

Beater
Sledgehammer.
Choker
Cables that wrap beams to raise them.
Do-Si-Do
Swinging an iron beam 180 degrees.
Joe McGee
Sloppy worker, disorganized.
Monkey Tail
Lanyard attached to an safety harness.
Pusher
Foreman.

Plumbing Slang and Terms

Ass Gasket
Toilet seat.
Gongfarmer
Plumber (Term originated in medieval times and was a person who cleaned outhouses.)
John
Toilet; Water Closet
Pig
Garbage Disposal
Plumber
An insult to a pipefitter.
Turd Herder
Plumber

Masonry Slang and Terms

Butter
Mortar

(NT)