Talk:Diagonal pliers

Dikes
why are diagonal pliers called dikes?

I'm going to edit all the "diag" references to "dikes" because diag simply cannot be pronounced dike. which is the only way i've ever heard it pronounced. discuss or revert if you disagree Danomagnum (talk) 06:21, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

When I worked for Boeing we called this tool for cutting wire “dikes”, but the LGBT people who worked there went to management and complained, so we were told we couldn’t call them “dikes” anymore. True story. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Gregyankey (talk • contribs) 02:50, 9 July 2019 (UTC)

Presumably from DI-agonal C-utters. --76.24.24.247 (talk) 19:02, 27 June 2021 (UTC)

Side cutting pliers
In the first paragraph after explaining "Diagonal pliers" the following statement can be read: "Commonly confused with side cutting pliers." I was not aware that there was a difference between side cutters and diagonal cutters, and after spending a few minutes googling the subject I could not find anything that differentiated the two. Hence I suggest that this sentence is removed and "side cutting pliers" is added to the list of alternative names for diagonal cutters. EV1TE (talk) 00:13, 6 October 2016 (UTC)

Why are diagonal pliers called pliers?
I am pushing 70 and retired from the automobile manufacturing industry, before that I maintained commercial properties (offices, labs, apartment buildings and manufacturing buildings). I have had to make a few tools but I won't claim to be a 'Toolmaker'. I consider myself to be mechanically gifted and an avid tool collector. In my experience I have never met anyone in any "Hands on" profession who has ever referred to a a pair of 'dikes' as a pair of 'diagonal pliers' The formally (or fussy) acquaintances have on occasion referred to them as 'diagonal cutters' Also, I would be no more inclined to use this term than I would be to refer to a pair of 'dikes' as a pair of 'diagonal screwdrivers'. Does anyone know of an argument supporting the use of 'pliers' in this? --Opinionated Old Phart (talk) 05:04, 25 December 2019 (UTC)

Another use
Dikes are useful for the otherwise very difficult operation of unscrewing a broken-off threaded nipple from a plumbing or conduit fitting, by sticking the closed jaws into the nipple and then spreading them apart. Dikes can be bought with the backs of the jaws serrated to make this job even easier. 2603:8080:F01:F200:57:157:4838:4011 (talk) 20:40, 17 December 2022 (UTC)