General
klein's
What does klein's mean?
Lineman's pliers — the chunky side-cutting pliers electricians live by. Klein Tools so completely dominated the category that the brand became the tool. Saying 'pass me the Klein's' on a job site means the pliers, even if they're a different brand. Like Hoover for vacuum, Kleenex for tissue.
"Hand me my Klein's, I need to twist these conductors before I cap them."
Origin
Klein Tools, founded 1857 in Chicago by German immigrant Mathias Klein, who built the original lineman's pliers for a telegraph repairman.
Frequently asked questions
What does Klein's mean in the trades?
Klein's are lineman's pliers, named after Klein Tools — the brand that dominates the trade.
How do you use Klein's in a sentence?
For example: "Pass me my Klein's, I need to twist these wires."
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