Plug sockets ??

[Sussexlad]

When did power sockets become 'plug-sockets'? I thought a socket was something with holes and a plug was something with pins ! Now they're invariably referred to by the public as plug-sockets. Is it just me, that always irritates?

[kiloran]

Not just you, it's been bugging the hell out of me for years.

--kiloran

[staffordian]

Do you mean the ones designed to use AC current?

[monabri]

When did power sockets become 'plug-sockets'? I thought a socket was something with holes and a plug was something with pins ! Now they're invariably referred to by the public as plug-sockets. Is it just me, that always irritates?

The thing with holes (socket) is what you plug with the thing with 3 pins....the plug....so, it's a socket for (electrical) plugs...let's call it a "plug- socket"..

[UncleEbenezer]

Hmmm. Around here they're still power sockets. Or just sockets, if the context merits it. Never heard "plug sockets".

[jfgw]

They are sockets for plugs so I don't see a problem there. There are other types of socket (such as those that fit bolts) so there may, albeit rarely, be a need to specify the type of socket. In most cases, the term "socket" is sufficient and any additional specificity is superfluous. If I were to enquire as to the location of a socket while holding the plug end of my extension lead in my hand, I would not expect someone to remove his or her glass eye and point to the empty cavity. As such, I consider that the habitual use of the term "plug socket" is indicative of at least a partially empty cavity elsewhere in the head.

Many people, refer to the thing on the wall with holes in it as a plug. In order to distinguish this from the thing on the end of the lead (the bit with pins), the latter is often called a plug-top. Fortunately, I do not have murderous tendencies and I do not have a gun otherwise the proportion of the population who use such terminology would diminish.

I have several plug-tops. Each one is screwed to the base of the plug. They help to hold the pins in place and prevent accidental contact with live terminals.

Julian F. G. W.

[Itsallaguess]

In order to distinguish this from the thing on the end of the lead

cable....

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[ReformedCharacter]

In order to distinguish this from the thing on the end of the lead

cable....

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

Surely cable provides current to the sockets and a flexible lead (or flex) connects the plug to the device?

RC

[Itsallaguess]

Surely cable provides current to the sockets and a flexible lead (or flex) connects the plug to the device?

You should probably let Screwfix know that their website is wrong -

Round Flexible Cable (3-Core 2.5mm² x 10m White) -

https://www.screwfix.com/p/nexans-round ... hite/7723t

and Toolstation -

3 Core Round Flex Cable (0.75mm2 x 50m) -

https://www.toolstation.com/3-core-roun ... 83y/p71065

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[kiloran]

Surely cable provides current to the sockets and a flexible lead (or flex) connects the plug to the device?

You should probably let Screwfix know that their website is wrong -

Round Flexible Cable (3-Core 2.5mm² x 10m White) -

https://www.screwfix.com/p/nexans-round ... hite/7723t

and Toolstation -

3 Core Round Flex Cable (0.75mm2 x 50m) -

https://www.toolstation.com/3-core-roun ... 83y/p71065

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

Ahem..... Screwfix also sell plug sockets https://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-2-gang-13 ... pack/8458r


We are doomed

--kiloran

[Lootman]

Many people, refer to the thing on the wall with holes in it as a plug. In order to distinguish this from the thing on the end of the lead (the bit with pins), the latter is often called a plug-top.

Ask an American for a socket and you will be given a socket set. You might as well ask them for a wrench.

They call them outlets, which is perhaps a less ambiguous name.

[UncleEbenezer]

You should probably let Screwfix know that their website is wrong -

Round Flexible Cable (3-Core 2.5mm² x 10m White) -

Might one not use screwfix cable to make a lead?

[monabri]

Many people, refer to the thing on the wall with holes in it as a plug. In order to distinguish this from the thing on the end of the lead (the bit with pins), the latter is often called a plug-top.

Ask an American for a socket and you will be given a socket set. You might as well ask them for a wrench.

They call them outlets, which is perhaps a less ambiguous name.

I thought that an "Outlet" was US-speak for a store where you could buy stuff from.

[Lootman]

Many people, refer to the thing on the wall with holes in it as a plug. In order to distinguish this from the thing on the end of the lead (the bit with pins), the latter is often called a plug-top.

Ask an American for a socket and you will be given a socket set. You might as well ask them for a wrench.

They call them outlets, which is perhaps a less ambiguous name.

I thought that an "Outlet" was US-speak for a store where you could buy stuff from.

Yeah, it's both. If a valley girl or Jersey girl with hair and nails says that she wants an outlet then she wants to buy some cheap fashion at a (usually) outdoor discount strip mall.

If a guy with a pocket protector, a beer gut and a plaid shirt says he wants an outlet, then he wants a socket for his collection of electronic toys and gadgets.

[jfgw]

In order to distinguish this from the thing on the end of the lead

cable....

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

And I thought a cable was a thick rope.

There is usually more than one word that may legitimately be used to refer to something. One, I hope, would not look at a feline creature and say, "that is not an animal, it is a cat", the implication being that the two terms are mutually exclusive. The following would all be correct:

That is a cat;
That is a feline;
That is a Tom (or Queen);
That is a tabby/Siamese/whatever (as appropriate);
That is a vertebrate;
That is a pussy;
That is a carnivorous mammal.

The bit referred to earlier with a plug on the end could rightly be called (among other things) a cable, a flex, or a lead.

Julian F. G. W.

[GoSeigen]

There is usually more than one word that may legitimately be used to refer to something.

The number zero sadly misses out on this generosity and may only be referred to as zero, not nought, nothing, nil or zilch and definitely not "oh"!




GS

[madhatter]

The number zero sadly misses out on this generosity and may only be referred to as zero, not nought, nothing, nil or zilch and definitely not "oh"!

I used to think of it as “o” but since needing to remember passwords, have tried to be more specific.

However the term plug-socket is not one I am familiar with. I have normally referred (and heard them referred to) as power points. Not likely to be confused with Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.

[bungeejumper]

The number zero sadly misses out on this generosity and may only be referred to as zero, not nought, nothing, nil or zilch and definitely not "oh"!

I've tried most of those on my tax self-assessment form at one time or another, and I think you really ought to make an additional inclusion for space-bar and simple blank nothingness (for which I daresay the mathematicians have half a dozen words). Any/all of these may be acceptable, depending on the tax box concerned.

"Oh" works best, I find, when conjoined with some other expression, such as "sod off and leave me alone". I did manage to scare myself once by inadvertently submitting one of those on a VAT return. Whoops.

BJ

[bungeejumper]

I have normally referred (and heard them referred to) as power points. Not likely to be confused with Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.

Ah, but they're not power points until they have power connected up to them, are they? Until that moment they're just dead, inert sockets. In much the same way as Frankenstein's monster was just a roughly-sewn patchwork quilt until Igor threw the big switch....

BJ