Comments on: Stage Lighting Terms – A Guide to Lampie Slang

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 04:52:04 +0000

Hey cha0tic, I was told many (o so many) years ago that the scaffolding company that made them was named Cheseborough (second name I can’t remember). They were out of NYC I believe. They also use to be referred to as cheeseburgers, but haven’t heard that in years.
And Bridget, my understanding of the naming of the afore mentioned “f*** nut” had to do with what the techie would scream when the c-wrench (spanner?) slipped and his hand slammed into steel. This would usually be followed by the wench being turned into a hammer and the offending little bolt being turned into shrapnel that would come flying out of the cats (FOH lighting positions).
Finally, Rob I love your site. I can’t believe I’ve missed it all these years. Thanks for good info and great laughs.

By: Bridget

Bridget — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:53:37 +0000

I’m from the U.S. so this was really interesting! Great site! Here’s a few slang terms from the other side of the Atlantic:

Over here, we call the sound guys “Hum Heads” and they call us “Squints” (all that squinting at instruments). But I think I like “Lampies” better!

Grelco’s are called twofers. The 3-way version is usually called a threefer. Not very inventive, I know.

ERS instruments are often called Lekos, even if they’re another brand.

And my personal favorite bit of Squint Slang:

The little bolt on C-Clamps, sometimes called the pan screw, which allows the shaft of the clamp (and therefore the instrument) to rotate 360 degrees is affectionately called “the f**k nut”. This is because it’s usually next to impossible to loosen the thing, especially on older clamps… and thus the vulgarities fly.

Cheers!

By: Graham J McLusky

Graham J McLusky — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:12:57 +0000

Great web site. Just found it. Will pass this on to everyone!

The problem is that in the technical industries there are two many “TLA’s”… (Three Lettered Abbrevieations)

By: klmklm

klmklm — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:08:03 +0000

stuck way up here in aiberdeen, its nice to see its all universall!!

By: john

john — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:44:20 +0000

…I’m a Brit working in the USA. Can you recommend a website that has the US lighting slang and a US slant on the industry?

By: Marf

Marf — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:08:53 +0000

I have to admit, that part about Shin Busters is good

By: Jimmy Thew

Jimmy Thew — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:18:25 +0000

This was such a useful article for a student.

Cheers Rob

By: cha0tic

cha0tic — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:34:55 +0000

…and off topic, as it concerns the noise boys, but it’s one of my favourite bits of rhyming slang:
Meat & twos.
You know. Those speaker thingees they put on the down stage edge of the stage so the turn can hear themselves.
Meat & Two Vege, wedge.

Then back on topic whilst I’m still posting.
It’s a Lighting desk, unless you’re a septic*, then it’s a Console.
It’s a swivel (clamp) in the UK & for some reason that’s totally beyond me. A Cheeseborough on the other side of the Atlantic

*More rhyming slang. Septic Tank, Yank’

By: cha0tic

cha0tic — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:47:12 +0000

Sometimes Grelcos get called ‘Twofers’ or ‘Twofer blocks’ & we call ‘Trees’ ‘Crows feet’. They might be a ‘nappy’ to some, but to others they’re ’safety trousers’

In the Unimpressed category (though admittedly not technology) you forgot ‘The Turn’. They might be Stadium Rock Gods, adored & admired by millions, but to us they’re just ‘The Turn’

By: David

David — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:25:16 +0000

A more general list of non-standard terms here: http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/db4r/mystuff/Vocab.htm