500 pieces of shop floor, site and apprentice slang. The language that never makes it into a catalogue.
Fun terms are quoted from Urban Dictionary, where a lot of trade slang gets written down first. Each entry links back to the original and credits its author. These are how people talk, not what belongs in a specification.
A phenomenon that is often observed near a conductor. When the electric field in the vicinity of the conductor is sufficiently strong, electrons resulting from random ionizations of air molecules near the conductor accelerate...
n. a retail store employee, usually a teenager, who works a register.
Cost per click. Commonly used term in PPC Marketing is 'Pay Per Click'.
sometimes called Charley horses, are unpleasant, often painful, sensations caused by contraction or over shortening of muscles. Cramps can be caused by cold, overexertion or low calcium level in blood
A term originated from the music industry to command an individual to "turn up the volume.
A type of small wicker or osier basket, used by anglers for holding fish or other seafood catches.
n. A rock climbing term for a small handhold. Since crimp holds protrude from the rock by an inch or less, it is usually only possible to grip them with the first pad on each finger. Crimps are also referred to as "crimpers." v...
Bullshit, nonsense, something that is a lie. However, crock is not usually used as an interjection like the above words may be. Crock is quickly being picked up as a retort for proverbs or phrases such as; "You can do anything...
Cornish term for dinner time, tradtionally used for the miners in Cornwall when they had their pasties
A CRT stands for cathode-ray tube, a vacuum tube in which a hot cathode emits electrons that are accelerated as a beam through a relatively high voltage anode, further focused or deflected electrostatically or...
Database access terminology - create, read, update and delete
The interval of time immediately before a project is due, when it becomes apparent that the schedule has slipped and everyone is going to have to work like dogs to try to complete the project in time. Crunch time usually occurs...
A fake four walled "office." Often a cube is shared with other "cubemates" in the workplace.
Term used by DJs for when a record is playing, but not audible in the mix, while he is preparing and adjusting it to be played next.
The aesthetic charm of a house when first seen from the road; a home-improvement television program first aired on Home & Garden Television (HGTV).
When you ask for a raise and your manager tells you its not that we arent paying enough its that you are spending too much
To be good at something, to be an expert in a specific field, to have a way with something that makes that person better than your average Joe
n flower chain consisting of a string of daisies linked by their stems; v connect devices on a part of a chip or circuit board in a computer
v : connect devices on a part of a chip or circuit board in a computer
n. The total of a bill in a place of business, usually when the bill is large. Probably came from the situation where someone wrecks the place and offers to pay for any damage.
Digital Camera Images Used when formatting SD Cards (or other types of memory cards) in cameras.
1. An uncomfortable period of awkward silence that usually occurs in a tense social setting; 2. A period of time during which a television show is broadcast without an audio portion.
(Britain, Ireland): A leg that is painfully numbed, stiffened, or cramped by impact such as by a deliberate or accidental kick or other blow. Known as a charley horse or charlie horse in the United States where it can also mean a...
a shoe that has never been worn or even tried on. also terms nds vnds etc. be wary of people using vnds!
in surfing: the area between two swells where the waves arent breaking.
Performs jobs such as bridge watch, painting, cabin boy, tying up, small boat operator.
1. n. An imperfection, either cosmetic or functional. 2. v. To abandon an obligation or loyalty. 3. v. To change loyalties.
A drink before breakfast. Originally used by farm labourers before they began a non-union day's harvesting.
To set up everything completely, precisely, and perfectly. Usually relating to something mechanical or creative. The phrase comes from tuning engines. Mechanics set contact points for the electrical system of the engine and then...
Short for differential when talking mostly about trucks and 4x4's
A piece of automotive bodywork that is meant to deliver downforce by channeling air under the car, especially under the midsection and rear, so that it creates a low-pressure system under the car which sucks the vehicle to the...
When an image or video is re-saved and compressed more dithering artifacts are added to the file.
Gasoline, because its precursors were produced by eons of compression and decay of trees and plants especially during the ages of the dinosaurs.
The spontaneous migration of an important object to a location so improbable that its discovery is later described as an archaeological find.
Round black unit under the hood of a car which supplies electricity to the spark plugs. Also known as "distributor"
The freaking DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE !! Which includes the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves.
Of questionable legality, like a scam, or questionable moral or structural integrity. Originally British.
term used in giving driving directions. we were driving to a friend's house in rural, northern Minnesota and we asked a local man for directions - part of his instructions were : "Go left on Olson Rd. - drive straight for about a...
A small box round the back, commonly used by workmen. Also known as 'the tradesmens entrance'
Otherwise unnecessary verbiage added in order to confuse the listener, such as using a double negative to make a statement mean the opposite of what it would otherwise mean. See also, doublespeak.
A word commonly used in office environments to help link one point to another synonym: piggyback
A plugged cigar. A cigar rolled so tight you can't pull the smoke.
Blipage of the throttle in order to increase engine speed while simultaneously dropping the clutch at a comfortable but consistent and quick rate to accurately respond to and represent 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th gear.
downtime is a term widely used in most factories when a machine is not running or production is not running and or a particular converyor line.
Distributed pattern matirial, so technicly any sort of printed fabric, but its really used to discribe camoflage. some of you may think it stands for damp proof membrane, which it sort of does, but also dosent.
What the uneducated and under skilled drivers call Tailgating. Its when you follow closely behind another car traveling at a high rate of speed to decrease the amount of air resistance on your awesome sports car so as to save a...
In racing, it is the clipping of the apex of a turn to attain higher corner exit speeds. This achieved by breaking the tire traction limit and putting the car into a controlled skid. As the vehicle slides, the weight shifts from...
The availability of a product or service to the general public. The term is most often used in relation to the release of a music album, a DVD video release, or hardware or software, but can be used for other products (i.e...
Digital Sound Processing. A really cool feature on hi-definition stereos that let you add reverberated depth (echo) to what you are listening too.
Make things that shouldn't move stay put. The opposite of WD40.
something that doesn't work. usually used for firecrackers and other explosives
1) an artificial antenna (one which does not radiate radio energy, therefore does not communicate) 2) something (or someone) who absorbs energy but gives nothing in return 3) an male ejaculate that contains no sperm (that is, he...
a small car used for cruising in the sand dunes. it is a small lightweight car perfect for burnouts and rally racing. very good fuel consumption aswell
Blocks of old, used wood, which are used to hold up vehicles, or brace components when servicing.
Australian word meaning the toilet. Can also be known as the 'dunny-can'.
Alcohol induced self-confidence, the beverage in question was gin, or genever (juniper), the main ingredient.
A horizontal piece of timber used in house framing between upright studs. (NZ usage mostly)
(n.) Lively and optimistic person (n.) An electricity generator connected straight to the machine which uses it, thus not wasting money on travel.
a machine used to measure the WHP (wheel hp) of a car across the cars entire range of gears.. also gives torque ratings
Pottery fired at lower temperatures, making it softer and more porous than other ceramics (like stoneware and porcelain). While more prone to absorbing liquids and notably less durable than other ceramics, it can be a...
One industrial term every weekday, with the trade it belongs to and why it is worth knowing. No advertising.