lineman's handset
A portable telephone used by telephone repair people that connects to a telephone line with two alligator clips. Used to make or monitor calls, the clips can pierce the insulation of the wires if necessary; however, the clips are typically attached to bare wires, punch blocks or wiring terminals. Also commonly called a "butt set" for two reasons: the lineman can "butt in" on a conversation, and it often clips to a belt and hangs over the person's rear end. See
lineman.
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| The Butt Set |
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| The lineman's handset is primarily a telephone that connects via alligator clips rather than a standard RJ-11 telephone plug. |