Electrical pigtails are used to connect a cable or wire to a grounding or junction point. Bedouin woman with braided pigtails, between 1898 and 1914. The term pigtail. A pigtail is a coiled or looped section of tubing used in piping and instrumentation systems to absorb vibration, manage thermal expansion, and protect pressure instruments from direct exposure to process media. Moreover, its curved design allows it to flex under temperature or pressure changes. A braid or ponytail, especially one of a pair worn one on each side of the head. American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright. Dear Straight Dope: Where do they get the term “pigtails” since there aren't two tails or a split? Daniel Kordan Dex replies: The first use of the term pigtail was, of course, to refer to the tail of a pig.
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