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Nigger in the wood pile

A problem with a phone system.
The expression was coined by a pioneer for phone technicians and was carried on through apprentices and journymen. Today it is used in limited numbers among veteran phone technicians.
"Well, I tell ya...I can't seem to get the 2600 frequency to trunk. I reckon there's a nigger in the wood pile, boy."
by Joshua Denver April 30, 2006
mugGet the Nigger in the wood pilemug.

Nigger in the wood pile

When something is surprising or obscure.
When you find out you're 3% eastern European, grandma says "that's the nigger in the wood pile"
by Dr. Delarney May 10, 2025
mugGet the Nigger in the wood pilemug.

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