Holey Plugs, Batman! But... what are they for?

The answer may surprise you.
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[TechnologyConnections]

Maybe some day I'll talk about the fact that all these outlets are technically upside down.

[fredflintstone]

My son discovered a great use for the holes. You can insert a small paper clip through both holes at the same time so when dad unwittingly plugs it onto the wall, it emits a bright blue/white flash and scorches the plug, wall plate and wall as well as tripping the circuit breaker all with an incredible but brief sound.

[KurosakiYukigo]

"I suppose mayonnaise is an off-white jam..."

Sir, I'm going to have to ask you cease this train of thought *immediately*.

[Tymibaman]

"I suppose mayonnaise is an off-white jam" is one of the most upsetting sentences I've heard in a while.

[inatew]

“Oh well, at least it’s not 240v coming out of there” 😂😂😂😂😂

[JaximusDecimus]

"Dude, no way I'm watching a 20 minute video on the holes in power plugs." ~20 minutes later. "He got me again!"

[MucaroBoricua]

Back in the 80s when I was a child, my parents would put a tiny padlock (like the ones used on luggage zippers) through the holes in my TV's power cord as punishment. So I always thought the holes were to prevent unauthorized use of appliances.

[markhiscock]

Those holes are very useful in the construction trade for me. Not only can you lock out a plug, but we own Pro-Lock extension cords which seem to utilize these holes to lock whatever you've plugged into them in place.

[scrumbles]

Fun fact, if you have one of those tiny novelty padlocks for a girls' diary, you can lock it through the hole, preventing it from being plugged in.

[theprogrammer]

"through the magic of buying multiple"
will never get old I swear

[rocbolt]

The hole is for the tiny padlock to prevent someone's PlayStation from being plugged in :D

[mythoceanas]

I worked at a plant where they put plastic ties through the holes on malfunctioning or under maintenance piece of equipment. Usually with a tag with a initial, date and reason, so the equipment couldn’t accidentally be plugged in.

[LittleDancerByGrace]

Probably the only YouTuber cool enough to give a tour of all the different electrical outlets in his house and have us all glued to the screen the whole (hole?) time.

[thecutestpariah]

Fun fact: there are extension cords that utilize those holes and will lock with a button on top. They're great with hand tools to avoid accidental unplugging while working

[andrew_ray]

"The toads over at NEMA" is an unreasonably good joke.

[AngryBob]

I definitely love all the information you give and the science you do but god damn, your sense of humor is next level and your deadpan delivery is impeccable!

[Zaphod_B-]

When I was in the Air Force working as a Precision Measurement Equipment Repairman, at the end of shift you were required to unplug all equipment on your workbench. It was a common prank to put a piece of solder through the holes on the next guy’s soldering iron and wait for them to plug it in. Makes for a real wake up call.

[noahf.]

"Through the magic of buying 2" will never not be amusing to me.

[nicolascuellonunez]

I love the phrase “by the magic of buying several of them…” gets a smile from me every time 😆

[twilightsass]

The factory I work in uses them as a lock out tag out mechanism for certain small pieces of equipment. If you put a lock out tag thru the holes it can't be plugged in while being maintained.