Picker
Trade terminology for antique/resale market scouts and dealers
An earlybird who hunt swap meets, estate sales, thrift stores, etc and scoops up the good deals - often for resale in antique shops or on ebay.
Fun terms
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.
pink noise
Technical audio engineering term used in acoustics work
A pseudo-random wav file which has equal distribution of energy in each frequency octave (e.g., energy between 1 and 2 Hz is equal to the energy between 10,000 and 20,000).
Pipefitter
Pipefitter trade jargon about tiresome repeat questions
A job in which everyone will ask you "so you're like a plumber, right?" May also include "so you're a welder, right?"
Piston Slap
Engine mechanic diagnosis term for internal combustion problem
In a internal combustion engine when the cylinder is oversized and the piston will rock side to side producing a knocking sound.
pit maneuver
Police pursuit tactic, real law enforcement terminology
During a car pursuit, the pursuing car will ram the running car's back wheel (either right or left) and turn slightly, causing the running car to spin out. Usually done by police.
Plate
Gym/weightlifting equipment weight unit, tradesperson vocabulary
Term used in the gym to indicate a 45-pound weight, used on an olympic barbell. Additionally, the term plate can be used to indicate another weight, when preceded by the number.
PLC
Legitimate industrial control system, explains real workplace tech
programmable logic controller, purpose-built embedded computer systems used to monitor and control industrial equipment. The bulk of them today are about as powerful as a 286 PC or even less and they cost as much as or more than...
PLD
Workplace slang for well done, used in trades.
Abbreviation of "played" / "well played" - used in many ways to mean derivatives of "good" or "well done"
Pleach
Hedging/landscaping technique, genuine horticultural/trade work
1. To cross one's arms. 2. To fold down vertical branches in a hedge and weave them together, like folded arms, to restructure the hedge.
plenum
HVAC/ventilation system chamber; tradesperson term
A filled space, or the concept of space as full of something. 1 a : a space or all space every part of which is full of matter b : an air-filled space in a structure; especially : one that receives air from a blower for...
plumb
Regional dialect intensifier used in construction.
Extremely, entirely, absolutely. The correct spelling of the word as it is used, especially in the Deep South, is plumb, not plum.
plumber
Trade definition with interesting etymology about lead pipes
One who fixes or repairs pipes. Plumber has a "b" in it because pipes were originally made of lead, (lead seemed a logical choice at the time, because of its resiliancy against rust... then people discovered what lead poisening...
PMR
Paintball equipment acronym, specialized industry term
Acronym: Proto Matrix Rail A very high-end Paintball Marker!
Music/audio production term for rhythm placement.
Similar to a Groove The place in a piece of music where the beat sits to create groove. Without a pocket, there is no groove.
Polygonization
Technical geospatial/mapping term useful in surveying and GIS work
The process of detecting and extracting polygons from images (usually rooftops).
Pond life
Workplace slang for underperforming or stalled employees
People who feel under valued in the job who have not gone up the ladder!
PPE
Standard workplace safety term, definition accurate
Personal Protective Equipment. safety goggles, hearing protection, etc. plus i'm drunk.
preset
Genuine workplace humor about lazy tech shortcuts
In high technology; the settings you use when you're too lazy to do something properly.
primer
Ammunition component, legitimate firearms/manufacturing term
The small circular piece of metal (usu. brass) at the base of a bullet, where the firing pin in the chamber of a firearm hits to make a spark and ignite the bullet's powder.
Printer
Humorous workplace truth about perpetually jammed printers
A printer consists of three main parts: the case, the jammed paper tray and the blinking red light.
Prndl
Auto mechanic slang for gear selector positions
(Pronounced "prindle") The lever used to select gears on an automobile equipped with an automatic transmission. Usually located on the column behind the steering wheel, or floor mounted on the center console, ahead of and between...
prop
Theatre/film production term, comprehensive definition
A "prop" is any item, either hand held or free standing, that is not nailed down on a theatrical or film set. The term originates from the basic inventory of the company being the "property" of the owner. General use is to give...
proximity effect
Tech workplace humor about mysterious software fixes
When you ask for help with your malfunctioning software, it will mysteriously start working only when the person you asked gets within 5 feet of the computer.
puddle jumper
Real aviation term for small commuter aircraft
A small airplane used to transport a minimal amount of people.
pump out
Manufacturing slang for mass production
1.to produce or mass produce a product. 2.to pump a liquid out of an area.
punch list
Standard construction/project management term with workplace humor
1. (noun) List of items for a project that still need to be completed after a project is closed and handed over to the requestor. These are items not necessary to start and run the process but were part of the project scope. 2...
Punch Out
Military/aviation term for mission abort
Military slang; when abruptly and decisively aborting a mission or action; to eject out of an aircraft
Purl
Direct marketing tracking term using personalized URLs
When you mail a postcard that contains a Personalize Universal/Unique Resource Locator (PURL), when the PostCard recipient enters that the URL, they are taken to a Personal URL that contains their name (which was either created...
pushrod
Real automotive engineering term with insider shop culture
Used to refer to an overhead valve (OHV) engine. Often used as a term of derision by ricers for domestic V8 engines that are "overhead valve" designs with the cam inside the engine block as opposed to the cylinder heads.
race condition
Core software/engineering term for timing bugs
the behavior of an electronic or software system where the output is dependent on the sequence or timing of other uncontrollable events.
Rack
RACK as Ranger Assault Carry Kit - military gear
1. A shelf for storing your items; 2. A huge pair of breasts, usually located on some women's chests. 3. Ranger Assault Carry Kit- a chest rig worn by US Army Rangers.
rail grinder
Genuine railroad terminology with workplace relevance
A rail grinder is a railroad service (diesel mechanic, frieght car repairer, welder, fitter, conductor, laborer, engineer, singnalman, track gang) employee, good living and benefits. Often considered blue collar work with white...
ramp
Airport/transport vocabulary, accurate technical term
At an airport, a ramp is a place where aircraft are parked. It is a large flat concrete or asphalt area, that usually has places to tie down planes. See ramp rat.
range anxiety
Real EV industry term for legitimate operational concern
Fear that your electric car won't be sufficiently charged to safely reach an intended destination/return trip/next charging station.
rat rod
Auto trade term, practical definition of vehicle construction
A car that's made out of scrap parts from multiple cars; no paint, rusty parts; looks like a junky hot rod
Rat Run
Traffic/commute term tradies use for shortcuts via residential streets
Using small residential side streets during a commute, resembling the route a rat would take in a maze. Growing in use since the invention of Waze and other commuting apps.
rathole
Workplace term for unproductive tangential discussion
A topic of conversation that has diverted wildly from the original conversational thread and is generally viewed by all (but the one leading the topic) as being without resolution, or at the very least is uninteresting to others...
rats nest
Shop/IT term for messy cable bundles workplace engineers recognize
The bundle of wires underneath your computer desk or game console that represents months of negligence. Rats may or may not live inside. Don't even think about attempting to untangle one.
rebuild
Retail/warehouse repair process; genuine work vocabulary
To repair returned merchandise. Not necessarily synonymous with refurbishing, depending on company policy.
Red Card
Genuine labor union membership card term
A membership card for the union, Industrial Workers of the World
redneck engineering
Genuine shop floor term for improvised repairs with brute force methods
The use of unorthodox methods and tools to build, modify or repair machinery, vehicles, etc, usually with little regard to finesse or technique. Common tools include: sledgehammers, cutting torches, arc welders, come-alongs...
Relay
Telecommunications term used in professional accessibility contexts
Public service for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Speech Disabled. Available through TTY, Mobile, and Internet.
rev
Real mechanic/driver slang for engine acceleration technique
putting the car in neutral and steping on the gas. Is this normally done in manual cars in order to peal out and get a faster start. An automatic wannabe can do it as well.
Rework
QA term tradies recognize, wry workplace humor
Euphemism developed by a companies quality assurance team to let you know how you have utterly and completely failed both as a professional and as a human being.
rice
Car culture term; tradesperson slang for fake performance mods
Race Inspired Cosmetic Enhancements. (R.I.C.E.)Parts put on cars to make them look fast, when they have no internal tuning, and are actually slow as hell. Parts usually consist of excessivley angular bodykits, large rear...
rider
Entertainment/event industry term for performer technical requirements
The list of requests and desires from a singer/performer that they would like to have in their dressing room and prep area before a show
Rig
Real trucking and industrial vehicle terminology, practical and widely used
1. A truck. Usually a big truck, or a commercial truck with the trailer unattached. But it can refer to ANY vehicle. This word is extrememly common in Northern Cali. 2. It can also mean to fix something haphazardly. As in...
rive
Genuine woodworking/construction term; means to tear or split
To tear apart by pulling or tugging. In Standard English, the word is somewhat rare, employed chiefly in the past participle, 'riven'
rivet counter
Aircraft/precision work term for detail-obsessed inspector
A person who has an obsession in every small and non-important details.
Roger that
Radio/military communications standard term for acknowledgment
Slang, usually used in radio transmissions such as military communications, meaning "I understand" or "I hear you." Synonymous with "I copy that." Often just "Roger"
rolling stop
Traffic enforcement term with workplace relevance
A lame excuse for a cop to pull you over, and only dangerous if done improperly, a rolling stop is when you don't come to a complete stop at a stop sign. This includes slowing down to .0000002 mph to look both ways in an...
roustabout
Real pipeline and equipment maintenance trade vocabulary
one who works on an oil pipeline or equipment. duties include pump repair, installation, and mechanical operation. basically just a greasier millwright.
Router
Woodworking and networking device; both legitimate trade uses
1. A wood working tool mostly used by Norm with a jig. 2. A layer 3 networking device that allows communication between multiple networks.
rumble strip
Road construction/highway safety term for edge grooves
The line of grooves that are cut into the side of highways which cause a loud noise when a driver gets too close to the edge.
run in
Genuine machinery term for breaking in new equipment
(v.) To use a new example of machinery at a low pace to allow the parts to wear into each other.
rust bucket
Genuine term for deteriorated vehicle or vessel in trade
An ancient car or ship, covered in rust. May also be an affectionate term for a merely old ship.
sacrificial anode
Engineering term for protective component, trades humor
Something that must be broken, destroyed, or otherwise damaged, to ensure that something else is preserved or protected.
Salamander
Legitimate construction heating equipment with workplace history.
A long, thin propane or kerosene-fired heater used by contractors to cure plaster, spackling, or paint in the wintertime. The device is often left turned on overnight producing the illusion that there are flames in the building...
Scaffold
Essential temporary work platform safety equipment with clear trade definition
A temporary elevated work platform used to safely complete a task, which is installed by a competent Scaffolder. There are six types of scaffolding: wood-pole,Tube and Clamp, system, welded tubular frame, rolling, and suspended...
Scran
Royal Navy food term, genuine trade vocabulary.
A term used for food generally in the north of England, originally used by the British Royal Navy
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