‘Male’ and ‘female’ plugs and connectors – gendered language for the ends of garden hoses, electrical cords and pipe fittings sparks debate

Researchers surveying 27 technical editors found opinion evenly divided on whether to keep, question, or replace 'male' and 'female' terminology for connectors — ten wanted to keep it, nine would query the author, eight would change it outright. Google and Apple's style guides now recommend 'plug' and 'socket' instead, while the Chicago Manual, AP Stylebook, and even Microsoft's own guide say nothing on the matter.

The researchers point out the terms don't even hold up on their own logic: on solar-panel connectors, the 'female' side is often the protruding piece, undercutting the argument that the gendered labels are simply intuitive. They add that White House executive orders targeting DEI language could further slow any shift toward neutral terms like plug and socket.

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