From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.misc

[Note Followups-To:]

Lars Poulsen wrote:

My nieces in Denmark call it Gaffer tape.

Groovy hepcat Andy Burns was jivin' in comp.os.linux.misc on Sat, 3 Jan

gaffer tape is different, designed to come off cleanly when used e.g.
for marking positions on stage

On 2026-01-05, Peter 'Shaggy' Haywood <phaywood@alphalink.com.au> wrote:

No, gaffer tape is electrical tape. Gaffers are stage/movie/TV
electricians. They rig up wiring for the lighting, etc.

On 2026-01-07, Robert Riches <spamtrap42@jacob21819.net> wrote:

At least in the US since the latter 1970s for "gaffer tape" and
since the 1960s for "electrical tape", the two are drastically
different:

- electrical tape is stretchable, about 3/4" wide, and it is used
for wrapping bare wires to prevent short circuiting

- gaffer tape does not stretch substantially, is about 2" wide,
and is used for making sure (already-insulated) cables don't
move around on the floor, walls, etc.

Subsequent posts have made it clear that "gaffer tape" may be
any of:
- duc[kt] tape - silver, very sticky, cloth tape
- electrical tape - usually black or white, stretchable plastic
- also very sticky
- painter's masking tape - usually paper backed, removable with
minimum residue. May be beige, yellow, blue or green - different
brands with different properties.

Since - as I understand it - a "gaffer" is a stagehand specializing
in electrical wiring, I would expect that they would be prone to
using electrical tape. My understanding (which may be faulty)
is also that only movie sets have full-time work for a proper
gaffer. On a movie set, there may be wiring belonging to different
groups, so the wiring may be color coded to quickly recognize who owns
what wiring, so you can dismantle it separately as the set is broken
down. Work may be inside, or if outside, mostly in good weather,
and installation is very temporary. So a desire for something that
does not leave a mess.

A music roadie mostly works outdoors, subject to weather. Also very
temporary installations. Needs more stability than afforded by
paper backed tape. Duct tapes leave sticky cables, but you live
with it.

Stage markings are semi permanent (weeks or months), may need
color coding. Sticky residue is not desirable. No single kind
of tape meets every objective. So masking tape or electrical tape
each meet half the objectives.

Are we all in alignment here?
--
Lars Poulsen - an old geek in Santa Barbara, California
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