Sparkies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Informal term for electricians responsible for installing and repairing electrical systems; also can refer to small bright flashes of light produced by igniting a spark; occasionally used colloquially to describe lively or energetic individuals who spark enthusiasm
2. A casual designation for tradespeople who work with electrical wiring and devices; a description of tiny bursts of light caused by electrical discharge; sometimes used to denote people who stimulate excitement or interest in others
3. Slang for professionals skilled in electrical installation and maintenance; short, quick flashes of light generated by electrical contact; metaphorically, persons who ignite or inspire activity or enthusiasm in a group

Etymology: "Sparkies" is the plural of "sparky," a slang noun for an electrician. The root is "spark," which traces back through Old English "spearca" to a Proto-West Germanic form, and the spark that gives the word its name is the electrical kind, the flash that jumps between conductors. The "-y" ending is a common English suffix, and in "sparky" it turns the noun "spark" into a term for the person who works with that spark. The word is informal, the sort of nickname tradesmen often give themselves and each other, and its plural follows the usual English pattern of changing "y" to "ies."

Synonyms: electricians, wiremen