1969 >> October >> Definitions of Electrical Terms  

Definitions of Electrical Terms
Definitions reprinted from The Lineman's Handbook, Third Edition
by Edwin B. Kurtz, E.E., PhD.

Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", October 1969, page 18

LINEMAN'S LINGO: Linemen have developed quite a vocabulary of their own pertaining to their work, which is expressive and sometimes picturesque. The following list of words is typical of some that are in general use. The accepted meaning is given with each word.

Baloney -- Cable.

Baloney Bender -- A wireman who works with heavy cable.

Bible -- The electric code.

Bicycle -- A chain drill for boring holes.

Boomer -- A lineman who works on the installation of new transmission lines.

Bottles -- Glass insulators.

Bull Pen - - Where the construction crew collects before and after work.

Bunching the job -- Quitting the job.

Clum Some -- A greenhorn lineman.

Drifter -- A lineman who wants to see the world.

Equalizer -- A pair of connectors when used in a fight.

Floater -- A lineman who would quit in the middle of the job.

Gopher -- A "go for this and go for that" helper.

Goulash -- Insulating compound.

Grunt or Ground Hog -- A lineman's helper.

Half-Power -- A lineman who could not follow the lead of the rawhide leader; sometimes a lineman working off a jag.

Hooks -- Early form of climbers which go down outside the legs, called "westerns" because they were standard with the Western Union.

Jew Conductor -- A ground return.

Lady Slippers -- Name applied to new climbers by old-timers.

Limberneck -- Green lineman.

Narrow-Back -- An inside wireman.

Persuader -- A hammer.

Rabbit Scrap Copper -- Collected and traded for tobacco and liquor.

Roughneck -- A trouble chaser.

Skinner --Man who drives the wagon.

Slave Market -- The office of an employment agency.

Wire Twister -- Indoor electrician.

| Magazine Home | Search the Archives |