Proof we are not mainstream - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 05:24:01 pm
content: This is a personal peeve. Almost every reader of this blog will understand the following sentence."Don't use dikes to strip wire".Almost every reader of the blog probably has more than one pair in their toolbox, workshop or wherever the magic happens. But if you look that word up in almost any dictionary, be it the dead tree type or one of the on line ones you will not find the usage we have. You will find many words that are not acceptable in polite company. You will find obscure words like fubsy, or kringle, or pogonophobia, or antidisestablishmentarianism, but you won't find that there is a common word for a pair of diagonal cutters. I don't have access to an unabridged version of the OED, but I have heard it is there, so at least it is not totally undocumented.I have added it to Wiktionary and Wikipedia, to find it edited out later. What is it about the language of our hobby and profession that is so distasteful to the arbiters of our language?

author: max666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 05:31:25 pm
content: Well, at least "my" google understands, I guess.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 05:36:20 pm
content: Well you learn something new every day. This is the first time I have heard of dike as an abbreviation for diagonal cutter.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 05:36:48 pm
content: Googles got geeks. Check the following from WiktionaryEnglishAlternative formsdykePronunciation(UK) IPA(key): /da?k/Rhymes: -a?kEtymologyMiddle English (Northern) dik, dike, from Old Norse díki 'ditch, dike'. More at and doublet of ditch.Noundike ?(plural dikes)1.(Britain) Archaic spelling of all (Britain) meanings of dyke.2.A barrier of stone or earth used to hold back water and prevent flooding. ?[quotations ?]3.(pejorative) A lesbian, especially a butch lesbian.4.(geology) A body of once molten igneous rock that was injected into older rocks in a manner that crosses bedding planes.Synonyms(barrier of stone or earth): bank, embankment, dam, levee, breakwater, floodwall, seawall(long, narrow excavation): ditchAntonymsduneRelated termsditchdig

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 05:45:02 pm
content: The word "dike" has been used as a nick-name for diagonal cutter for many decades.Clearly the people who edit online wiki-things are dilletents with limited knowledge of specialized word usage.Why does that come as any surprise to us?I learned how to strip wires using dikes from a telephone installer when I was a very young boy, and I have been doing it successfully for at least 5 decades.My favorite cutters are these....

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 05:46:15 pm
content: I think "dikes" is largely an Americanism.I have always called them "side cutters", althoughWikipediathinks that being British I should call them "snips".

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 05:54:26 pm
content: I agree with rolycat and Ian.I grew up calling them "Flush cutters" or "lead cutters".

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 06:20:34 pm
content: i have always called them side cutters

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 06:22:43 pm
content: As with me. Side cutters or wire cutters.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 06:40:47 pm
content: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagonal_pliersQuote

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 06:57:28 pm
content: Dikes is what I understood sense the 60s at least.QuoteYea, one can get the feel if it's solid insulated wire, it was often quicker then looking for the strippers. However trying dikes on stranded wire is very difficult without nicking/breaking some of the strands. Also never use dykes to try and strip nylon or Teflon insulated wire, the friction between wire and insulation is just too high to get a good clean strip.

author: vlad777
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 09:25:35 pm
content: Those elitists at wikipedia will edit out anything, just because you are not part of their group.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 09:47:54 pm
content: "Side cutters" here. Never heard of "dikes" as a tool name. But have known a few dykes and they aren't offended by the word as they use it themselves. Lesbian is a bit of a mouthful in common parlance. (Oh, by mouthful I wasn't referring to the carpet munching... ooer... I'll get me coat)

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 09:50:43 pm
content: Quote from: rolycat on August 29, 2015, 05:46:15 pmOnly my old dad calls them snips, but he is a sheet metal worker by trade and going a bit senile.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 09:56:02 pm
content: Quote from: vlad777 on August 29, 2015, 09:25:35 pmActually I remember some wanker editing out Daves bio claiming he was only a minor internet personality or something ridiculous. Got a bee in his bonnet over climate change and the solar roadways thing I think. Wiki is infiltrated with climate change religious zealots by all accounts.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_L._Jones- it's still there, looks like the loon lost

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 09:57:54 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on August 29, 2015, 09:47:54 pmThat seems to fly in the face of 'political correctness' at least here in the U.S. where it seems that some groups are allowed to use certain 'words and names' that people outside the group should not. Dike would be a perfect example. Truly they are not offended by the word but rather who and how others use the word.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 10:29:45 pm
content: seems it is all in the spelling.www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=dykedyke. A word used to refer to Lesbians. Originally meant to be a slur, it has been "reclaimed" by many Lesbians who might use it to identify themselves

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 10:31:51 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on August 29, 2015, 05:36:20 pmSame here, never heard it before.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 10:49:52 pm
content: I'll stick with:4.(geology) A body of once molten igneous rock that was injected into older rocks in a manner that crosses bedding planes.http://www.supertopo.com/rock-climbing/Yosemite-Valley-Half-Dome-Snake-Dike

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 11:09:51 pm
content: Quote from: rolycat on August 29, 2015, 05:46:15 pmIn my area of the States, that is pretty much the only name for them, especially in the electrical trade.

author: hamster_nz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 11:15:20 pm
content: Almost as interesting a Coon being an Australian cheese brand.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2015, 11:24:47 pm
content: Quote from: dr.diesel on August 29, 2015, 11:09:51 pmI have heard them called "Side Cutters" as often as Dikes.Even my alternative lifestyle acquaintances don't raise an eyebrow.The disease of political correctness strikes a harsh toll.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 02:11:23 am
content: I'm with retrolefty on the 60's thing. My dearly departed father referred to "linesman's pliers" as dikes. That's what I grew up with.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 03:09:08 am
content: OK, I learned something too. I thought it was worldwide. Apparently the Europeans I dealt with had already been contaminated by Americanisms. Never have had the chance to talk electrical stuff with the folks on the other side of the equator.

author: max666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 03:19:55 am
content: Quote from: retrolefty on August 29, 2015, 09:57:54 pm

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 03:43:52 am
content: Gotta love Rick & Morty.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 04:08:27 am
content: I knew of the term, but it's not a word used for diagonal cutters in NZ or AUS.I think its pretty much just an American thing

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 04:43:06 am
content: Quote from: Psi on August 30, 2015, 04:08:27 amI think that may have changed now, you guys (and maybe gals) will be asking for a pair of dikes when you need to cut a wire.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 04:49:26 am
content: na, hasn't changed.If you go into a store and ask for some Dikes in NZ/AUS theirs probably a 10% chance they will know what you mean and a 90% chance they will look at you funny.I've never ever seen a pair of cutters labeled as Dikes on the packaging in NZ/AUS

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 04:53:39 am
content: Quote from: Psi on August 30, 2015, 04:49:26 amYou won't find them in the US labeled as dikes. It is slang.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 05:02:26 am
content: Quote from: Psi on August 30, 2015, 04:08:27 amJust about,word for word,what I was going to say!First heard the term in American Electronics magazines,back in the early '60s.Always "sidecutters" in Oz,though.The purists would always try to stop us stripping wire with cutters,but most "wire strippers" are horrible,clunky, unwieldy things,& most of us stuck with sidecutters-----a bit of care,& there is no problem.

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 05:09:16 am
content: A quick way to convert side cutters (dikes) into strippers is to cut a power cord when it is powered makes a nice hole.JUST KIDDING, although I have done this a few times not but not on purpose.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 05:09:50 am
content: If you want slang--it is not uncommon in Oz to refer to an Oxy-acetylene cutting torch as a "gas axe"!

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 05:10:42 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on August 30, 2015, 05:09:50 amwe call them a hot wrench.(spanner)

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 06:50:56 am
content: Quote from: bills on August 30, 2015, 05:09:16 amBeen there, still have them and they have 2 different strip settings. Wrongly labelled distribution board, and the pool motor box did not work at all. At least the 20A breaker worked as designed. I just nearly fell off the ladder.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 08:01:37 am
content: Where I come from a dyke is an earth embankment to keep water in or out as the case may be, Snips are for cutting tin sheet and wire cutters are either diagonal or end cutters. An oxy fuel cutting torch is sometimes referred to as a burner or blow torch or just torch and on rare occasions as a hot spanner.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 09:11:51 am
content: Quote from: bills on August 30, 2015, 04:43:06 amNot a chance. It sounds deeply weird - almost as weird as hearing an American pronounce "soldering". In UK English "sodding" is a swearword (or something you do to lawns), and consequently "soddering" sounds vaguely offensive.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 09:28:17 am
content: Quote from: rolycat on August 30, 2015, 09:11:51 am+1Me neither, side cutters it will always be.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 10:46:50 am
content: Quote from: G7PSK on August 30, 2015, 08:01:37 amI was hoping someone from the Netherlands would interject with that one, they are famous for them. It's the same as the Levee you drive the Chevy too in New Orleans. Hopefully not while drinking whisky & rye

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 10:51:55 am
content: Perhaps somebody in Australia could confirm that 'Durex' is a brand of adhesive tape because in the UK it's a manufacturer of rubber contraceptives. As for the dykes/dikes thing I have always known them as side cutters.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 11:07:57 am
content: Durex is a brand of sticky tape in Aus, never heard of 'dikes' always called them 'cutters' myself

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 11:26:56 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on August 30, 2015, 05:09:50 amWhen I did my apprenticeship "gas axe" was the butane soldering iron.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 11:29:52 am
content: I always thought a gas axe was a flatulent guitar player, oh well.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 11:43:20 am
content: Quote from: Deathwish on August 30, 2015, 11:29:52 amThere is actually a Welsh "sludge metal" band calledGas Axe.I have to say that based on the description I have no burning desire to sample their oeuvre.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2015, 12:40:52 pm
content: Quote from: rolycat on August 30, 2015, 11:43:20 amHmmmm...I'll have to see if they have a YouTube channel..

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 11:24:32 am
content: Those silly yanks, with their dikes and fanny packs!I'm just popping out for a fag...

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 06:50:03 pm
content: Quote from: Delta on August 31, 2015, 11:24:32 amYou should give that up, it's bad for you and very expensive. When I used to smoke (socially), it would often be O.P's, so you would often catch me bumming a fag.Gave it up thank baby jeezus.

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 07:03:25 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on August 31, 2015, 06:50:03 pmeew that is just so gross, thank the lord we have sheep in wales.......

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 07:37:52 pm
content: Quote from: Deathwish on August 31, 2015, 07:03:25 pmHear, hear. I do like to eat the odd faggot, and having a mincer handy means you can make your own.Mutton faggotsare especially good.

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 07:50:02 pm
content: I once lit the wrong end of a fag and used my dikes to cut off the burnt end.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 08:05:07 pm
content: Quote from: rolycat on August 31, 2015, 07:37:52 pmI have to admit I do like my ovines. But with mutton my only problem is finding any non-halal. I also avoid New Zealand Lamb and buy Welsh instead because those Kiwi bastards auto-halal/kosher the poor lamb in the slaughterhouse. I've heard this means they play a tape on repeat shouting "Alan Akhbar" at the soon to die lamb and then slit the poor mites throat without it being brain stunned and so fully conscious and suffering in agony while choking to death on its own blood.For some reason religious types are prepared to eat this form of killed animal and refuse to eat another "humanely" killed one. In the UK normal non-religious slaughterhouse a qualified vet has to be present to make sure the slaughter is "humane". Clearly the absolutely absurd religious exemption is MUCH cheaper - giving a bung to the local paki imam when the inspectors are visiting is probably even cheaper than having someone play a looped reel to reel tape recorder with the blood and lambs silent screams spattering everywhere.I wonder if religious people think about that while they enjoy their Halal or KosherAllahu Snackbar!

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 08:52:03 pm
content: Quote from: Delta on August 31, 2015, 11:24:32 amI gave up flaming fags over twenty years ago.I will occasionally blast a twist but I am quite the light weight these days.

author: lincoln
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 09:04:38 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on August 30, 2015, 05:09:50 amNot just slang, Smith's heavy duty torch brand name is gas axe :http://store.cyberweld.com/smgasaxecuto.html

author: suicidaleggroll
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 09:17:27 pm
content: The slang "dikes" is very common in America. I prefer the more socially-acceptable "alternative lifestyle pliers" though...

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 09:35:52 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on August 31, 2015, 08:05:07 pmI think you may be misinformed...New Zealand has one of the highest standards of humane slaughter in the world.https://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/animal-welfare/andhttp://www.mia.co.nz/industry_information/FAQ-halal/index.htmQuote

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 10:24:15 pm
content: Quote from: Mr.B on August 31, 2015, 09:35:52 pmUrgh. So they may be unconscious or not. Let's not forget that an anaesthetist during your human or veterinary operation is eminently more qualified that a minimum wage slaughterman, ensures anasthesia, and not death, and gives the go ahead for an op.Your meat industry is cow-towing to the religiously insane. There is NO reason for this halfway house, which I suspect true zealots would deem haram anyway - have you seen the vile revelry at bringing kids to the slaughterfest at Eid?Of course it is far better than our insane EU animal welfare vs religious wankery exemption, but I know when I buy Welsh lamb it is not halal.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 10:27:19 pm
content: Quote from: Mr.B on August 31, 2015, 09:35:52 pm+1Grossly misinformed.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 10:28:59 pm
content: Quote from: suicidaleggroll on August 31, 2015, 09:17:27 pmOh, those old peculiar pliers, I've got them. Quite a queer pair they they are indeed.

author: wagon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 10:47:48 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on August 31, 2015, 10:28:59 pmI've got some like that. Some prefer to strip wire, some prefer to cut wire. Some do both. Kinky.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 10:57:09 pm
content: Quote from: suicidaleggroll on August 31, 2015, 09:17:27 pmToo much to wrap my teeth around.No I shouldn't go there.....

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 03:53:32 am
content: Quote from: AF6LJ on August 31, 2015, 10:57:09 pmGives a whole new spin on the story of the little Dutch boy who put his finger in the dyke to stem the leak.

author: aargee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 04:44:57 am
content: Side cutters. Never heard of 'Dikes' used in this way.Gas Axe - Oxy-acetylene torch.