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General

sparky

What does sparky mean?

Standard British/Aussie site nickname for a qualified electrician. Affectionate, not rude. Every job site has one, and they usually turn up after the brickie's already finished.

"Get the sparky back, the kitchen sockets aren't live."

Origin

British forces/trade slang from the early 20th century, riffing on electrical sparks.

Frequently asked questions

What does 'sparky' mean?
It's Australian slang for an electrician.
Where does 'sparky' come from?
It comes from 'sparks' (electricity) plus the '-y' ending, a common way of forming tradie nicknames.
How do you use 'sparky'?
Use it for an electrician, as in 'We need a sparky to sort out the wiring.'
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.