General
idiot stick
What does idiot stick mean?
Electrician slang for a non-contact voltage tester — the pen-sized gadget that lights up and chirps when you wave it near a live conductor. Called an idiot stick because (a) any idiot can use one and (b) trusting it blindly will make an idiot of you. Notorious for false positives on ghost voltage and the occasional terrifying false negative, which is why old sparkies always confirm with a meter.
"Idiot stick says it's hot but the meter reads zero — probably picking up the feed from next door."
Frequently asked questions
What is an Idiot Stick?
It's a non-contact voltage tester — a pen-shaped tool that beeps when held near live wires.
How do you use Idiot Stick in a sentence?
An electrician might say 'Run the idiot stick over it before you touch anything'.
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