Robbie B
Well-known member
I’ve always called them side cutters or side cuts. I’ve heard them called dykes or dikes but I have a hard time calling the dykes because where I come from that’s a slang term for a masculine lesbian.
Dikes : Diagonal cutter jargon
- Thread starter sgtmac
- Start date
My Dad was an aircraft mechanic, so there were always tools around the workbench. He always called them dykes. That's 1950s-60s. I worked for a bit as an electrician's helper back in the late 1970s or early 1980s. We all called them dykes. I remember years later when I first heard the term "diagonals" for them, I thought "gee, that's a weird name for them." Still can't get used to it. It's like a woman you called Liz all your life, and then suddenly you have to call her Elizabeth. Awkward and unnecessarily complicated. They're still dykes. And she's still Liz.
I suspect the "dykes" spelling with the "y" is derived from the proper last name "****" as in **** Van ****. It's a widely established, standard way to spell the word with the same pronunciation.
I suspect the "dykes" spelling with the "y" is derived from the proper last name "****" as in **** Van ****. It's a widely established, standard way to spell the word with the same pronunciation.
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
I call em dikes and my dad did. He was from twin cities and did time in Marines, so who knows where he picked it up from.
dike = not derogatory
**** = derogatory
dike = not derogatory
**** = derogatory
orangeblood
Well-known member
use and origin of the word "dikes" aside, learning the meaning of "portmanteau" was an interesting side benefit of this thread.
port·man·teau
/ˌpôrtˈmantō/
noun
1. a large trunk or suitcase, typically made of stiff leather and opening into two equal parts
2. a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two others, for example:
* motel (from ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’)
* brunch (from ‘breakfast’ and ‘lunch’)
* podcast (from 'iPod' and 'broadcast')
This is perhaps the most likely explanation for the name, a contraction of diagonal cutters. It's apparently been in use for a very long time. There are many examples in the language. The spellings with either "y" or "i" are both commonly used, according to a Google search.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I agree !
Never heard the term until I was well into adulthood. I just called (and still do) them "wire cutters". I do make a big distinction between wire cutters and "linesmen pliers". You can not use cutters to twist together sold copper wire.
Over the years, I have acquire 4 "standard" size cutters and 2 "small" cutters. Only one set of linesmen pliers.
I also have about 8 different "needle nose" pliers. The long reach and bent ones are a God send !
Bent Wrench
Member
We always used the term “dikes”.
Same with “side cutters” that a lot of people call “linesman’s pliers”.
A funny story in my house is about the time I was under the wife’s car dropping the gas tank when the final gas line connections were those plastic pinch clips on plastic lines. So I’m under the car holding up the tank on my tummy so the lines don’t break with the wife acting as a tool runner. I hollered for “water pump pliers”, to which the wife says “what what pliers?” This went on a couple of times till she just started holding up different pliers till I said yes that’s it. She’d never known “channel locks” referred to as water pumps before.
Now they’re what what pliers in this house.
Same with “side cutters” that a lot of people call “linesman’s pliers”.
A funny story in my house is about the time I was under the wife’s car dropping the gas tank when the final gas line connections were those plastic pinch clips on plastic lines. So I’m under the car holding up the tank on my tummy so the lines don’t break with the wife acting as a tool runner. I hollered for “water pump pliers”, to which the wife says “what what pliers?” This went on a couple of times till she just started holding up different pliers till I said yes that’s it. She’d never known “channel locks” referred to as water pumps before.
Now they’re what what pliers in this house.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
"Dikes" is also has a different meaning.
ZRX61
Well-known member
oh, ya mean slip-joint pliers?
New member, old thread.
richfinn
Well-known member
Yep, we always refer to Air Impact wrenches as "Windy Guns" in the North of England
Side cutters though instead of "dikes"
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I love the term "spanner" and "ring spanner" ! "Nutfucker" = "farmer fitsall" = adjustable wrench.
You folks use a lot more compression fittings on copper pipe (its a pipe, not a hose pipe !
). It took me awhile to understand what an "olive" was (ferrule) ! Never knew there was such a tool as a olive/ferrule puller !Yes, yes and yes... That's what I was taught growing up.
laser3kw
Well-known member
water pump pliers (arc joint pliers) aren't the same as slip joint pliers (hog nose) -oh, ya mean slip-joint pliers?
same as linemen's pliers aren't the same as dykes / side cuts
richfinn
Well-known member
I love the term "spanner" and "ring spanner" ! "Nutfucker" = "farmer fitsall" = adjustable wrench.
You folks use a lot more compression fittings on copper pipe (its a pipe, not a hose pipe !
I suppose a lot of Northern English engineering slang words date back to the industrial revolution, certainly where I live we are surrounded by old Collieries and textile mills
Adjustable Spanners were usually called "Shifters or Movers" by mining engineers/mechanics
You don't really see "olives or banjo fittings" much anymore unless you work on older stuff as plastic has taken over
Thanks to YouTube and the internet and cordless tools the last 20yrs has seen a definite change to "American" slang amongst the younger vehicle enthusiasts
ZRX61
Well-known member
Most olives I come across are on Spitfires (Supermarine, not Triumph)
txvwnut
Well-known member
Many years ago there was two San Francisco city workers repairing a light on public sidewalk. One was on a ladder and the other by the truck. Ladder guy says to truck guy hey toss me a pair of dikes, just two were walking by. When back at the city yard they got a talking to from their supervisor and the city manager about their language towards the public. They stated their side and now they are call diagonal side cutters by all city employees.
Robbie B
Well-known member
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Banjo fittings are still common for brake hose to caliper connections. Maybe even some high pressure fuel lines.
I had a friend friend who had a copper pipe split after it froze. He spent a very long time trying to solder a coupling in because little drops of water trickling down the pipe ruined the solder. I was surprised he had never heard of the "white bread trick" (a wad a very soft white bread without crust shoved into the pipe where the water is dripping from; it will "melt" under pressure) or that you could use compression fittings on "hard" (not annealed) copper.
Paco Pena
Well-known member
Sent the new helper to the tool crib one day for a pair of dykes. The woman behind the window was about 175lbs with a crew cut. Kid eventually came back empty handed. Admitted he was afraid to ask. She had some fun with him grilling him about what he needed.She knew.
Paco
Paco
Shiftless
Well-known member
You left out *** bolts
laser3kw
Well-known member
at one time, there was a moratorium at work from using the term "pecker head" when referring to the terminal box on an electric motor. 
sberry
Banned
They are listed as diagonals, same as 9's listed as side cutters.
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
SMH....but understand.....
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Dikes or lesbians is how I grew up being taught