Do plumbers have a slang lingo?

2ms2
by 2ms2
It seems that plumbing (particularly clogged bathroom plumbing) would lend itself to a colorful and nuanced internal lexicon. Discuss.
  8 answers
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Sep 01, 2011
    I've heard a few over the years...many of them refer to special "tools" that plumbers use...one is a "donkey dick" which is a "long ball pneumatic test plug" this is used to plug drain lines to test for leaks. It is a long tubed balloon type thing that inflates and stops up the pipe. Everyone has heard of plumbers "crack"...which is also known as plumbum. there are a few others that are not so PG rated. The best slang I think comes from classic diner waitresses and short order cooks. Burn one, take it through the garden and pin a rose on it = hamburger with lettuce, tomato and onion
  • yes, plumbers have slang words for just about everything...
  • 2ms2 2ms2 on Sep 01, 2011
    I take it it's not the kind of thing you'd want to say in public?
  • hahahaha, good guess... plumbing by nature is vey... shall i say... sexual.... male fittings, female fittings, so no i don't think i'll be posting any "slang" terms today... ; )
  • Atlanta Plumbing Plus Atlanta Plumbing Plus on Sep 16, 2011
    I'm pretty sure that as M. Cary says, my plumbers have heard a lot of slang words for plumbing-related tools and equipment over the years; however, either because I'm old enough to be their mother or because I send them to so many customer service training classes that emphasize being respectful, I've never heard any of them use a term I couldn't use in public or post on this site. And, I'm not going to ask them for any either :-)
  • Walter Reeves Walter Reeves on Nov 12, 2011
    Isn't there a saying about something that flows downhill, plus a reference to payday and the parentage of the boss?
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Nov 12, 2011
    They call a clogged or plugged drain, a drain that is plogged.
  • AlloReg AlloReg on Mar 22, 2014
    Personal Drainer = slang for plumber