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)