Term: Bull Float


Trade: Cement Finisher


Definition: A tool comprising a large, flat, rectangular piece of wood or magnesium attached with a rotating pivot to a long handle used to smooth unformed surfaces of freshly placed concrete


Proper usage: “Hey, who threw my bull float in the lake? How am I supposed to smooth all this concrete? You know bull floats sink.”
Improper usage: Never listen to people selling knives door to door. They’ll tell you all sorts of bull float to make a sale.

 

 
Term: Make-up Water


Trade: Steamfitter


Definition: Water supplied to a system that replaces system fluid that has been lost through evaporation, leakage, etc.


Proper usage: As evaporation of pure water takes place from the tower, the pure water is replaced by makeup water.


Improper usage: We had a terrible argument over The Kardashians but it was fine after a few bottles of super chilled make-up water.

 

 
Term: Pressure-Reducing Valve


Trade: Steamfitter
Definition: A device of a globe valve pattern used to reduce steam pressure from a higher to a lower pressure.


Proper usage: Pressure reducing valves may be single- or doubled-seated


Improper usage: Willy has a wicked temper. Willy says he’s gonna ask his doctor for a pressure-reducing valve implanted into his head.

 

 
Term: Soot Blower


Trade: Steamfitter


Definition: A device which blows the soot off the tubes in the boiler with the use of steam
.

Proper usage: Liz! Can you bring your soot blower? The tubes in the boiler are full of soot and we need it all blown away.


Improper usage: “Liz! You wanna come see this awesome soot player down at the jazz bar? He can sure wail”

 

 
Term: Boom Wing


Trade: Excavator / Excavations


Definition: An excavator with a hinge at the base that allows it to pivot left and right without having to rotate the cab.


Proper usage: It’s quicker to get the job done if the boom has a boom wing.


Improper usage: “I’m off looking for love and I need a Boom Wing to come with me to the bar and talk me up. I’ll buy the first round and everything.”