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Expressions in engineering workplace
18

Expressions in engineering workplace

Expressions in engineering workplace

(OP)
Hi,
As an engineer with a mother tongue other than English(newcomer in English community),everyday I faced with some slangs, idioms, or phrasal verbs that they are new to me. Can you guys mention some popular ones of those in engineering workplace(ofcourse with brief meaning)?
For example today I heard these:
"chip away" :To divide a problem to solve it.
"...hammering ": working more on something.

Thanks in advance

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Mohtogh

This is a tough one for me, as slang is a normal part of the daily vocabulary used at work, and I'm not sure what is slang anymore.

However,
"chip away": to attack a problem little bits at a time until you get you final results...as in creating a marble statue. Not actually dividing a problem.

"hammering": working "very hard" on a specific problem. As in, "I was hammering away at the problem until it was solved". Not just working more on it, but really putting an effort into the problem.

I can't think of anything right now, but will write them down as they are used and post again. I'm sure this group will give you more than you can remember!

Having failed at my attempts to learn a foreign language, I commend you on your English. It took me a while to learn Texan! I'm working on my Spanish.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"tackle the problem"- accept the responsiblility to solve a problem.

Hmm, can't think right now myself.  Perhaps if you posted the slang you hear during teh day, we can translate for you?

"But what... is it good for?"
Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"Banging your head against the wall" is a common expression, usually relating to the similarity of discussing technical matters with management.

corus

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I've always liked, "If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer!".

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"round file" or "File 13" is commonly used to refer to a trash can and indicates you are going to throw something away, or something you have is of little value.

"Thanks for this test report, I'll just put in the round file."

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

then there are the units of measurement, such as the CH (about 4 thousandths of an inch, or the diameter of a hair from a particular region of certain bodies)

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

(OP)
Thanks guys.
rerig:I know that is tough for people with English as a mother tongue.
I learned a lot, and hope other members add something.

Thank you again.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I don't know which part of the world you are from but a few years back I headed a group doing volunteer work for a junior school. The job was to build a small concrete access ramp to enable service and emergency vehicles easy access to the rear of certain school buildings. Quite a number of those who helped were refugees from El Salvador.
Anyway, the job was meticulously planned, enthusiastically and carefully executed and when all was complete I was asked by one of the ES guys what I thought about their efforts. Well,it turned out a good job, so naturally I said "Not bad". Wow, the disappointment on the faces of these guys initially, until it was carefully explained that "not bad" really meant "bloody good job"!

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

In Southern England you may hear the phrase 'Manchester screwdriver' to refer to a hammer. (Manchester is in the North). I expect there is similar usage elsewhere.

Good Luck
johnwm
________________________________________________________
To get the best from these forums read FAQ731-376 before posting

UK steam enthusiasts: www.essexsteam.co.uk

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Sweden and Norway always have had some kind of love/hate relation. So it is only natural that a "Norwegian Reset" is identical to power cycling the computer. I guess that it is called a "Swedish Reset" in Norway.

And, yes: Using the fingers to count is using the "Norwegian Calculator".

My own addition to immortal sayings is this: "Red is black and plus is minus". Try saying it to someone! He/she will probably nod knowingly and in an affirmative way. People seldom really hear what you say...

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

4
Hey, no one mentioned my favorite.  I had a boss who would walk into the drafting area (prior to CAD) and exclaim, "alright, I want to see nothing but elbows and a**holes on this project."

For those of you unfamiliar with the stance, this is a reference to the posture of someone standing at a drafting table.  And it means ' GET TO WORK!'

He also used to call emergency staff meetings by commanding the drafters to file into the conference room "nuts to butts".  Self explanitory.  

I was the only junior engineer that lacked the specific equipment to which he referred so one day I asked if that meant I had time to get a coffee refill.  He laughed.  He was a great boss!

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

casseopeia,

It sounds like your boss had military experience or was influenced by someone who had military experience.  Both of those expressions are used widely in the military, and may have originated there.  For example, asses and elbows can refer to running or push-ups, both of which are common in basic training, and nuts-to-butts is a common arrangement for male recruits.  Ahhh, how I prefer the cerebral world of engineering...

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"Maybe I'm dreaming in Techni-color, but..."

My boss used to say this phrase before he dropped an exceedingly hard task on us.  Something along the lines of, "Design a new fork lift that's 20% cheaper than our current one, and reduce the part count by 25%.  While you're at it, try to have a production prototype ready in 6 weeks.  Thanks"

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Casseopeia  
The saying "a**holes elbows" may be very old. I have read that it may have originated in the era of slavery.  When a overseer looked out in a cotton field that's what he wanted to see.  He wanted to see people bent over and their arms moving.
I first heard the  expression in California while thinning sugar beets. The engineers who invented cotton pickers and other equipment that do away with stoop labor are canidates for nomination as some of the great scientistengineers of all time. ( reference thread 769-110100.)

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"Let me gnaw on that one a bit". Let me think about it.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

A couple I often used---
"Let's kick that around"---Let's talk about it.
"Let me throw it against the wall to see what sticks"---Let me take this to management and get their input.

Rod

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"run it up the flagpole"

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"I'm just spit-balling here..."

I hear this all the time when people are proposing new (and usually unorthodox) methods or ideas. I don't know where this phrase came from  (I'm not sure if I want to either)...

-Mark

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Let's "sleep on it".

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"cuss and discuss":  talk back and forth about it, at great length.  Hopefully with useful result.  Like "chew it over".

Hg

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Mark, In grade school, we used to shoot spitballs with PopCicle sticks and stick them on the ceiling.  I know, that's 1940's but, who knows.

"Your fired"!  Just an expression?

A long, long time ago in a land far, far away---the clans used to set fire to the houses of people that they considered undesirable and that they wanted to be rid of.  Thus the term---"getting fired"  and now, "your fired".

Rod

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Here are a few more:

"sharpen the pencil"  -  to take a closer look and use more precise numbers in an attempt at solving a problem; this phrase is usually used after one takes a first attempt at solving the problem using approximate numbers.

"In the ballpark" or "ballpark figures" - both of these expressions are used when one is using approximate numbers, as opposed to precise numbers

"number cruncher" - someone who works with numbers

"back to square one" - back to where we started

"Banker's hours" - short work hours (someone comes in late and leaves early)

"short-timer"  - someone who will be leaving the company soon

"cut corners" - be more efficient or economical

"in black and white" - in writing

"six of one, half dozen of the other" - expression used when two similar items are being compared


Plus some abberviations that may serve as idioms:

"COB"  - "close of business" (the end of the work day)

"SOS" - "same old S---"

"SSDD" - "Same S---, Different Day"


Tony

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

2
"Stick a fork in it"  for something that is "done"

"Tweak it a bit"   adjust some numbers or details in some small manner.

"Prairie Dog event"  When something loud or unique happens in an office with cubicles, and everyone's head pops up to see what has happened.

"Gray hairs"   reference to individuals with lots of experience...as in "let's get some gray hairs on this problem"

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

SOL:  S... outta luck.  Just means out of luck.

eighty-six:  discard.  We finally eighty-sixed that piece of scrap, and of course the next day we needed it.   Supposedly comes from diner (cheap restaurant) slang and there are many theories about its exact origins.

Hg

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

JAE,  I guess stars are too expensive on this here track but you sure got a chirp ouota me with that-there Prairie Dog Event.  I'm still chuckling or is that chuckeling?

Excuse me for getting off track here but skogs reminded me of when my Dad worked on a Swedish construction crew and the boss -- macho guy that he was -- asked for a screwdriver.  One helper attempted to pass one to him.  He said, "NO,give me a screwDRIVER" and pointed to a claw hammer.

And MadMango reminded me of Another time when dear old Dad worked for a chief engineer that said, "these things you are designing should never break but if they do, they should be able to be fixed in 5 minutes with a screwdriver and pair of pliers."  Of course good old Oliver Johnson would probably just use a hammer.

When the engineer says the project is 90% complete, you know what happens next!


RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"WWHFD?"

Maybe this is just local to our company, "What would Henry Ford do?"

I get this response from people when I suggest product enhancements.  Herny Ford offered his cars in any color you wanted, as long as it was black.

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"Back of the envelope" refers to the type of calculations that are made on the fly during the design process, without the aid of a computer...

"Napkin Sketches" refers to the sprawled sketches that often result from a trip to the bar with fellow engineers. Sometime's it's hard to distinguish between the design and the bar's logo on the napkin. I wonder if there is some machinery somewhere that has the Hooters owl unconsciously designed into it...

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"Bleed on it" . Review a document (in red ink)

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"Back of a fag packet" - similar to back of the envelope but refers to a design scrawled on a cigarette packet. Perhaps the decline in the number of people smoking explains the decline in engineering in Britain?!

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I thought of another one recently, "picking fly shit out of pepper" means to over-analyze.  At some point one must accept a certain level of 'contamination'.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

3
check the other thread in here - "Redneck" for more

Keep the wheels on the ground
Bob
showshine@aol.com

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I'll take a WAG on the subject of this thread. WAG = Wild A** Guess, a term commonly used within the business side of the aerospace industry

Randall Shelaga AScT
Manager, Technical Operations
DIRAND Aerotech Inc.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Since it IS rocket science, I always thought it was a SWAG (scientific...)

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

A more considered WAG would be called a guesstimate. It's half way between a guess and an estimate.

corus

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I once told my tech (straight from Moscow) that the task at hand was a "piece of cake".

She was digging into online dictionary, her english class notes, etc for an hour before I asked whats wrong?

She was trying to figure out how the task we were doing involved food.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

retrew,
A while back I was speaking with Yuri, an engineer from Kiev whose English was a bit fragmented, but he's working on it.  We were discussing someone who could manufacture what amounted to custom artwork.  He mentioned that he knew a woman whose was very good at what we were looking for.  Yuri's exact quote was "she does very good hand job."

I explained to him, after pausing for a second, that what he should say in the future that his aquaintance did 'good hand work.'  

Yuri was confused.  He asked if 'work' and 'job' weren't about the same in meaning.  I said not when you put the work 'hand' in front of it.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

When I need a staff or arbor that nobody has and have to make one on the lathe, it's "On the long end of a short piece of wire"

When I am working at something that takes up time and won't really get me anywhere I am "just spinning my wheels"

I had an old professor that used to say of someone who was either worthless or full of it: (so-and-so) is cuttin' a ten inch bearin' on a six- inch lathe!"

Chaz

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I have been accused of being so frugal that I could "make wire from stretching pennies."

another favorite:
The tail is wagging the dog - meaning that upper management lost control of the situation and stupid decisions are being made by non-engineers....

BobPE

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Here are a few translations I have come across in
my engineering travels...

Red Wrench = Acetylene torch used to loosen rusted/seized   fasteners (Also Hot Wrench)

Shiner = Nail that missed the stud as seen from the back side of sheathing

Peach Pits = Refers to a piece of machinery vibrating so much it  resembles a dog passing peach pits

Hatchet Knot = A knot with so many ties and cross threads it requires a hatchet to open it

Unobtainium = Any mat'l that is impossible to find

Smoke Test = First application of working voltage to an electrical circuit or device

MT = Written on empty gas cylinders, or???



The more you know, the more you
know you don't know....

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Test Engineer's Universal Toolkit - Swiss Army knife.

I think I might just use that WAG unit in a business case I'm busy with at the moment - it is full of them!

Bung
Life is non-linear...

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Mermaids ahead.
Used in the heavy transport industry in Australia to alert drivers of a police weights and measures trap further down the road.
Mermaids translates as C**** with scales.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"You can't polish a poo"

Essentially the same as "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear"

"I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go past." Douglas Adams

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"Hand wave" engineering --

Done on the job site with a wave of the hand, saves all that change order paperwork sometimes....

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

In 1989-91, I worked for a company that had a very ill-thought-of computer group.  A typical request for a computer was 5-8 months before being resolved.

The engineering group I worked for figured out how to get better computers and better software all rather quickly, and to our liking.  Since we dealt with a control systems consultant for most of our work, we would tell them what we wanted, they would get it and deliver it.  It would be billed as an "Engineering Configuration Terminal and Components" on the bill.  <grin!>

~NiM

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I still like "oops, I let the magic smoke out..." ....when you first throw the switch and the dang thing blows up...  similar to the "Smoke Test" above.

rad
~~~~~
just remember: if you leave it to the last minute, it'll only take a minute...


RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

On the bulletin board in the engineering department for an undergroaund coal mining machinery company there was a colored pictorial of an underground scene.  There were several miners present sporting their miner's hard hats with lamps a'burnin and at the other end of the scene were several clowns all dressed in their polka-dotted regalia and dancing around on one foot or turning cartwheels.

One miner was alerting the others, "look out, here come the engineers!"

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

2
As an  engineer I keep a sign in my office for management to read.
IF YOU WANT IT BAD, YOU'LL GET IT BAD!

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Had a professor that used to say "you're pushing rope" meaning you're not accomplishing much (rope = good in tension, bad in compression)

RobWard reminded me of another we used to say when evaluating recruits.  If we didn't think much of an individual we'd say "you can't make chicken salad out of chicken $#!~"

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I always liked the phrases "like herding cats" and "like a bunch of monkeys trying to *(copulate with)* a football."  Both give very apt mental images...


RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Sometimes, when what you are doing seems to be counterproductive, it is a lot like "pissing into a headwind"...

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Or if it is one person vs another's opinion it can become a "pissing contest."  Recently I had occasion to quote this expression but chose to inset the word "spitting" for "pissing" as we were in conference with dual genders and one was our HR lady.  We must be discreet and at least appear to be leaning toward p.c'ness.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I can see the HR lady being an issue since everyone, male & female, would be on their PC tippytoes, but I have never understood why dual genders should be an issue.  If it's not okay to say in front of someone who happens to have boobs, why is it okay to say at all?  Is it that women are so much more fragile than men that words like "pissing" might injure them, whereas men are strong and capable enough to take it?

Just wondering.

Hg

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

yes, that's it exactly.  I actually think that women ARE more inclined to take offense to insensitive remarks, while men are more inclined to let them pass, and I believe it has a root in the gender roles that parents and society impose on children.  Regardless of the cause, however, there are certain words that you're much more likely to get away with using in the company of men than in the company of women.  Not all of the words are related to body parts, either.  Even such innocuous phrases as "look at that goddamn retarded SOB" are more likely to be accepted by men than women.


RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

The latest one I inserted into our Eng Dept language:
"It's like teaching a pig to sing. You waste all day getting tired and frustrated, get the pig all pissed off, and never hear a note"

sounds like most management meetings, doesn't it?

Keep the wheels on the ground
Bob

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Looking like a monkey trying to **** a football was a popular one in the field.  That always had me rolling.  

Something in our office that goes around is using "Hand2000", like SAP2000.  Since our boss is too cheap to buy software we get to do most things by hand or with our own spreadsheets, hence Hand2000 is the "software" we use.

I agree with ivymike about the comments.  It isn't that it isn't ok to say certain things in front of humans with boobies but rather that those humans with boobies take offense much more easily and are more likely to think sexual harassment than "gee that was just a joke."

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

UcfSE,

We've had something similar in past offices.  When someone couldn't/wouldn't/didn't use a CAD program to make a sketch, particularly one that took longer to do by hand, it was called an "AutoBill" or "AutoDave" or whatever the person's name was, sketch.  "Did you see my sketch?  I used AutoBill."





RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Oh my, Hand2000 is a riot! I'll have to remember that one.

And I think it has to do with social norms as well on the PC front. Men are looked at with disdain when they aren't "One of the guys you can BS with" while women are always told to be "Ladylike" by society. How many of you can imagine working with someone you can't use slightly racy colloquialisms with. You'd probably much rather work with someone else, given the choice. This is part of the "fitting in" that is so important within the male dynamic.

Or that's my opinion anyway, take it for what it's worth.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

My personal favorite is "belt and suspenders".

Meaning to "overengineer" or to apply more than one solution to a problem thereby making it cumbersome or excessive.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

how about passing a T-LAR test?  "That looks about right."

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

EVENTUALLY THERE COMES A TIME WHEN YOU SHOULD SHOOT THE ENGINEERS AND START PRODUCTION!

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Men are Digital, Women are Analog!
(Think about it)

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I have always liked “like winning a tallest dwarf competition” but not very PC these days.

Means you have achieved something but not very much.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

One I just cooked up yesterday- REBAR'D.
Along the lines of FUBAR, but stands for Re 'Engineered' Beyond All Recognition, with emphasis on 'Engineered' taken very loosely.

Like when you spend months on a management-supported project defining specifications, cost and time estimates, equipment selection, pre-design, software outines, etc.

Then out of the blue management decides they no longer want the project as specified, cut costs here, substitute this for that, need it 3 months sooner, etc.

You sorta get the feeling you have just been impaled on a piece of rebar. Ouch... Time to start over....

Wheels within wheels / In a spiral array
A pattern so grand / And complex
Time after time / We lose sight of the way
Our causes can't see / Their effects.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Then there is the CPT, Customer Proximity Test. If it refuses to fail, just have the customer there for the testing. Wprks every time!

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

ucfse,
"Hand2000" and "pushing rope" - LOL
I had a boss with from Southern Louisiana..."The reason circular tube sections are so good torsionally is, they can't make up their minds what their weak axis is".
Re-doing a calculation to get the beam, etc. down to a size that fits (or other)- "Let's pencil-whip it"

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

this thread is a riot... loved them all...
english is also a second language for me... but picked up some lingo along the way...

sh*t-canit = send to circular file

use the DUA standards  = (specially for americans) they all ask: what are the DUA standards? - DUA = Don't Use Acronyms

relevant as a f*rt of a fly in tasmania

useless as an ashtray on a motorbike

this nut seized... use the "persuader" = a 20lb sledge hammer

brain-f*rt = trivial mistake

architect = a guy that is not man enough to be an engineer and not effeminate enough to be an interior decorator - i know, i know this is very biased... but it cracked me anyway...

consensual solution = idiotic, but politically correct

the straw that broke the camel's back = one little thing too many...

splitting hairs = going into too much detail

in a pissing contest, everybody gets wet... = there are no winners.

let's bag ass and go home : after a very long session

busier than a one armed coat hanger

cocky young engineer = this ain't my first rodeo, boss...
boss = good, stay on the horse.

let's rock&roll = let's start this engine (usually applied to rotating equipment)

you are preaching to the choir = when they explain to us something that they know we already know.

cheers.

saludos.
a.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

one-armed paper hanger, no?

Hg

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

HgTX...
thanks. second language hits again.

saludos.
a.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I created a one-armed coat hanger recently by stepping on a good one.

Hg

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Great post Abeltio...laughing my tail off this afternoon reading it.

HHmmmm... I think I sort of resemble that rodeo comment, in fact I think I just had that conversation with my boss!

~NiM

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Rough enough. Usually when something has been forced into position in a less than elegant manner. More or less means close enough

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Hi,

BobPE's post above "make wire from stretching pennies" reminds me of a similar phrase I've heard:

"He can pinch a nickel until the buffalo squeals"

NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"You know, I am a 2-significant digit guy in a 3-significant digit world"

"Close enough for government work"  (pronounced "govmint")

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

lovely means good work or well done task

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

HgTX
"one-armed paper hanger, no?"
No.  It's a one armed paper hanger with the hives"
Or a "One legged man in a A _ _ kicking contest"

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"lovely" also has a very SARCASTIC tune to it at times...

Such as you get the news you need to complete a project yesterday and you say "LOVELY..." with a tone of conern mixed with sarcasm mixed with anger.

<GRIN!>


~NiM

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

This one is even politically correct...............

When someone on the project is referred to as FIGJAM

F**K I'm Good Just Ask Me!

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

hang fire, to be slow in communicating or acting

tie the wool, to contemplate deeply or to give great consideration to

SCET - Techmaximus

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

What about the use of a "Skyhook". Typically used to discribe a situation where an Architect wants a structural member located but does not give anything to support it.

The day I finally invent the Skyhook support will be the same day I retire a very wealthy man!

AUCE98

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Time to get the add-on tool.
(Time to get the welder)

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I am a fan of seeing a piece of equipment with "NFG" written on it. Depending on the PC of your job site it may be:
Not Functioning Good, or... a little more colorful version of that.

Every now and then I see a drawing on a worker's bench and he has written NFG across it. A sly shot at the engineers involved.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

2 more work place phrases that really ammused me as a new immigrant in N. America
"when s**it hits the fan"
&
"running like a headless chicken"

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"I love work, I can watch it for ages."

"Engineer's ink" = whiteout/TippEx

I got a shock the other day when a colleague said "I am sending a fax to head office" and put the paper into the shredder.

"It is like a f*rting in a rainstorm" = preaching something, but it is ignored by management, because they speak so much.

"In the land of the blind, the one-eyed is king" = if the engineering team is weak, he who knows a little is the best.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

khan101... you need to be more 'politically correct'
Try this
"When the defication contacts the rotating air displacement device"

Racing and bullfighting are the only real sports...everything else is just a game.
Bob

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"peeing in the ocean" when you're trying to raise the water level.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Interesting discussion I got in on late. Back to the original intention of the post, here is something you should watch out for..

"Fudge the numbers"....has several meanings but the only thing you need to know is never sign and seal anything when you hear this

1. It will definetely work but I cant find a good reference on how to calculate it

2. Its been standing for 100 years even though it slightly dosent calculate

3. This has to work....figure out a way for it to

4. Its so close and this is a great client

5. Its already built and the guys on Eng-Tips couldnt help me

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Here's a few from over the years:

"Dog and Pony shows" - it's one I have brough cross country to the place I am at now.  This is the day that the boss brings in investors, large scale potential clients, we get some free lunch out of the deal cause they always overbuy on the food for the visitors.  Yup, it's "dog and pony show time".

"Hacks" - not computer hackers but skilled labor that is not quite up to the task or someone that does an unproffesional job on a regular basis.  (it's kinda mean but some have earned it).

"schmooze em" - kiss a little a*s cause it may help us.

"See what you can do" - the boss' way of saying it's not my problem sucker, it's yours.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Fat Finger the Numbers – to develop incorrect results while using a calculator

Banging In – to call in sick because after calling in you bang the phone down

“I’m not driving that boat.”  - I’m not in charge of that action item.

Techmaximus

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"Drop in the bucket" - just a small portion of something

"Tip of the icebug" - just the beginning

"gnatt's ass" - Very small/overly precise

"FUBAR" - F***d up beyond all recognition

"Dumb as rocks" - often used when describing an architect :)

"Nuke it" - Discard existing design and start over

"Balls to the wall", "Buried", "Flat out", "Busier than a rooster in a hen house" - All mean very busy

It's amazing how many of these expressions there are....

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Thats cool, then we know that we have a real problem to bite in :)  

This expression was used on another forum here in eng-tips.

Don't know what country the person is in but in the USA we would say, "..then we know that we have a real problem that we can get our teeth into :)

Cheers

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Casseopeia: love the one about picking fly poop out of pepper.

Strider17: True story - My boss was once asked for alloy with a totally incompatible set of properties. He told the customer "yes, it's called Unobtanium 235". "Really" came the reply, where can I get some"?

Nuff said.

If we get a tensile bar or castings with dubious appearance/properties, we normally say that the Cruddite phase has appeared again.

Slighly on the huh - A Suffolk (England) expression meaning that the object in question is not quite aligned in the way it should be.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

When asked to do something or comment on a specific area of interest, skill, or authority.  A common reply is it's not my baliwick!  A phrase I commonly use to dodge a bullet

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 2.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
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      o
  _`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

Do you trust your intuition or go with the flow?

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

If you're dealing with Irish people you'll generally find they phrase it negatively.

for instance if you ask How are you?
Not bad = means they're well
Not good = means there is something wrong

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Americans too.

Hg

Eng-Tips guidelines:  FAQ731-376

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Someone, in another thread, referred to a "prairie dog event"
i.e. any happening in an open plan office that caused all the heads to appear over the partitions to see what was happening.

We once had one of those "prairie dog events" in an office I worked in where one of the young ladies had a ruck with the boss and walked out of his office slamming the door; not to be missed since his office partitions and door were constructed of metal and glass.

Having made this grand gesture she found she had to return immediately to his office with some more paperwork.

As she was leaving his office for a second time he could be heard to say "And don't slam the ..." the rest was lost as the door slammed into its frame with even more force than before. She was unable to repress a smile at the sight that greeted her in the office: lots of heads peering over half height partions waiting for the next event and an office so convulsed with supressed laughter that no work was done for some time.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

In my part of the world, New Zealand, "Mickey Mouse" means an awful job, go to Australia and it means a good job

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Mickey Mouse means a poor job in my part of the U.S. as well.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Wayne Gretzky once called the New Jersey Devils a "Mickey Mouse organization." The fans responded by wearing Mickey hats with big mouse ears to the games.

Carry on....

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

We used to joke about non-feasible designs needing to be tooled up by Disney. "Making dreams come true".

APQP - (advanced product quality planning) is frequently used to reference our smoking area.

"I'm from Missouri on this" meaning you'll need to "show me".

Michigan Screws - have had the heads turned down to suit 'out of position' c'bores.

Spot calibration - using the spot welding gun to close gaps in mat'l while welding.

Digital manipulation - hand tweaking parts.

E-coat in a can - black spray paint.

President's Choice - directed supplier.

regards,

Hydroformer

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Hydroformer:

The APQP comment reminded me of what my current boss once told me about a smoking area in our plant:
"All the world's problems and mysteries have been solved by the philosophy spouted in there."

Kind of lines right up with APQP...

~NiM

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

In the UK it's common to refer to someone who has been hired short term and is incompetent at his job as a 'cowboy'. Is this america bashing?  

corus

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

corus-
Not really. "All hat, no cattle" is more of a deragatory expression here in the colonies.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace


I just saw a really descriptive phrase in thread725-122460

Quote (unclesyd):


You will be able to straighten some SS parts but the very next one will get catty wampus, not telling where it will go.

What a beautiful expression!

Good Luck
johnwm
________________________________________________________
To get the best from these forums read FAQ731-376 before posting

UK steam enthusiasts: www.essexsteam.co.uk

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"hammering":  Hammering someone also occurs at administrative levels (Some call them Management Levels).

This activity is best described by this statement:

   "To a Hammer, The Whole World Is A Nail"

"hammering": Is Just About The Only Thing That A "Hammer" Does!

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"You da man!", for a job well done.

Every time someone says this, I am reminded that these were essentially the words ("Thou art the man") spoken by Nathan the prophet in confronting King David over David's adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 12:7).

Regards,
William

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

JMW had an expression in another thread I really liked:

"it all went pear-shaped"

I'm not familiar enough with it to expound on its exact connotation but I like the overall impression it gives.

Hg

Eng-Tips guidelines:  FAQ731-376

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

What a hoot of a thread! :)

Here are some other definitions:

Handraulic calculation - to do a calculation by hand - not using a computer application.

Sawing sawdust - to really really really over analyse the situation...

NFI - No f***ing idea

NMJ - Not my job.

NMP - Not my problem.

SEP - Someone elses problem.

Sap-ed up: when someone promises to do something better, faster and add value... just like implementing a SAP system... and doesn't deliver.

"Half baked effort" - someone who didn't put in the effort and got the appropriate result

In music [in my other life I'm a muso], and we're having a bad night, we'll ask the sound engineer to plug in his TP3000, or if really bad, his TP3000+... a reference to a "turd polisher" to make something bad sound good.

Cheers

Rob

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

p.s. One more...

On a poster in one of our managers' offices: In God we trust, all else must bring data.



RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

'pear-shaped' is a common UK reference to things that have gone horribly wrong. slightly more polite way of saying 'f***ed up'.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

That's not quite true. Common usage of 'pear-shaped' is: xyz has gone pear-shaped.  A closer match would be 'tits-up', which can directly replace 'pear-shaped' in any sentence.

I used to work in America and when I was there, had a fellow Brit for a boss.  His use of 'tits-up' was never quite understood by my American colleagues.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Actually, "Tits-up" is quite common over here.
Especially in Texas where we find Road-kill "Tits-up" (DOA) all of the time.
(referring to -this job is Dead on Arrival)
However, most of our Road Kill is usually a "sailor".
You know - so flat you can sail it like a Frizby.

Ergo: I have some jobs that are considered "Sailors"..."Tits-up" and run over by everyone so now you can't tell what it started out as!

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Anyone know where that usage of "pear-shaped" comes from?  I can sort of envision a sphere having a bit of a meltdown, but I'm just making that up.

Hg

Eng-Tips guidelines:  FAQ731-376

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Observed at a now-retired engineer's old office:

Small picture frame with a
Nice picture of "nursery rhymy" rabbit and some flowers in the background with a
Caption that Said:
"Once Upon A Time, There Was A Lot Of Time."

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

One often heard out here in the western US

Discombobulated - unorganized and confused.  "Those plans are so poorly put together, they are all discombobulated."

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Good one Ingy...

This is why I hate 'take-over' or pick-up' jobs. There's so much re-combobulating to do.

regards,

Hydroformer

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I always show them the Product Triangle at new product meetings:
             
          GOOD
          /      \
   FAST  __  CHEAP

   
        Pick 2

"If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X + Y + Z, X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut."
-- by Albert Einstein

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Followed by
"The first 50% of your project will require the first 90% of the resources....
The remaining 50% will require the other 90% of the resources."

"If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X + Y + Z, X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut."
-- by Albert Einstein

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Nice one sprintcar.

HgTX: For an explanation of "pear-shaped", this may give a bit more info:
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-pea2.htm

British Standard Handful - a small indeterminate quantity of one substance thrown into something else to "make it better".

Shitload - a very large quantity of anything e.g. the Australian cricket team have recently lost a shitload of matches. This word has been adopted and made more polite by the BBC of all people e.g. A lorry has dropped a shedload of bricks across all three lanes of the motorway.

Bruv

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

what - no star???  LOL

One of the favorites at Harley was
"Thanks for coming in today"
Just a tongue in cheek joke among the engineers.

When I moved down south, I let it slip one morning and was responded to with: "Well thank you. That's mighty nice."

"If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X + Y + Z, X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut."
-- by Albert Einstein

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace


Heard this one today,

'pegged the weirdo meter'  for someone who's strangeness is so great it cannot be measured.  Not an easy feat in this part of the globe.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"A poofteenth" for a very small distance

"A bit long one end" or "A bit long your end" .. self explanatory

"blue tongue" oxy cutting, usually as a rough alternative to some other metal cutting technique.

Jeff

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I just heard one that I had to add

"The task has to go through a number of 'wickets'"

wick·et   (wkt)n.
   1. A small door or gate, especially one built into or near a larger one.
   2. A small window or opening, often fitted with glass or a grating.
   3. A sluice gate for regulating the amount of water in a millrace or canal or for emptying a lock.
   4. Sports. In cricket:
         1. Either of the two sets of three stumps, topped by bails, that forms the target of the bowler and is defended by the batsman.
         2. A batsman's innings, which may be terminated by the ball knocking the bails off the stumps.
         3. The termination of a batsman's innings.
         4. The period during which two batsmen are in together.
         5. See pitch2.
   5. Games. Any of the small arches, usually made of wire, through which players try to drive their ball in croquet.


The intent of the conversation was similar to having to "jump through hoops", but with slightly less oversight.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Wes616,

The auto industry has us 'pass through gates' as a measure of program status. Timing and success of passing through each gate are tallied into a measurable (APQP) score. Same deal as wickets I guess.

*Without data, you're just another person with an opinion.*

Hydroformer

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Wow, funny stuff in this thread!!  I was surprised no one mentioned:

"Think outside the box" - Come up with a creative idea/solution

Another one I just recently learned was that a "Pecker Head" referred to a part of a pump (not sure exactly which part though).

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Some poor guy in a factory somewhere has to be the one who makes/installs/checks Pecker Heads... that's just wrong.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I'd hate to have to put that on a resume:  

"Level 2 Pecker Checker"

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Great link Whyun!!!  I've heard most of these and interpreted them appropriately :)

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I like the last one on that list, WE = YOU!  Sounds familiar...

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

I would have to say the one I hear the most is "Opportunity".  To verbalize the real word (Problem) is practically taboo now-adays.  I've even been corrected when speaking the "P" word with a comment such as: "You mean Opportunity right???" usually accompanied by a sly grin.  What is this world coming to??

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

My favorites from the list are:
I encourage you ... = I order you ...
Issue = Problem

There are so many I've heard not on this list.  Words like orientated (meaning finished with orientation, synergy, empowerment.

One of my favorite quote: Don't bring me problems, bring me solutions.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Here's a word with I've heard one of our corrosion engineers use:  COPIOUS.

As in:  "When flushing a piping circuit containing amines, use COPIOUS amounts of water."

~NiM

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

What's slang about "copious"?  It's a real word, and used correctly in that context.

Hg

Eng-Tips guidelines:  FAQ731-376

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

in the "managerese" vs. "engineerese" list, what is CA, as in "let the customer do the CA"?  Cost Analysis?

Hg

Eng-Tips guidelines:  FAQ731-376

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

Sorry HgTX... I had 2 windows open and obviously pasted this in the wrong one.  ("Favorite Words" was the other line.)

My apologies to the readers in this one.

~NiM

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

LCD Engineering - Making the least possible innovation in the design of new product. Spurred on by the decision, "We don't want to spend much time on this one." (NOTE: usually takes longer to do it the old way)

LCD Engineer - 1. someone incapable of doing anything unusual.  2. someone that requires way to much direction (incapable of figuring things out on their own). ex. "The guy sitting next to me is an LCD Engineer. I spend half my day explaning this designs to him."

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

"There goes a 386 brain trying to make it in a P4 world...."

"If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X + Y + Z, X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut."
-- by Albert Einstein

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

This is one for those slighlty lower down in the company and may often feel like this.

To be treated like a mushroom is to be kept in the dark and fed s**t.

RE: Expressions in engineering workplace

fortunately, seems like this thread will never end...

here some more...

in a pis***g contest: everybody gets wet...

about a repair done haphazardly:
this will last as much as a f*rt in a basket (original version is in spanish).

saludos.
a.

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