We called the 4800 “the hamburger.”

Peanut prism.

We called the 4800 “the hamburger.”

Hadn't heard that one.

The "Naterator"

The 12 lb. sledge is referred to as the BFH.  Definitely comes in handy from time to time.

The first one I ever learned was the bullpr!ck.

Oh boy, here we go with the equipment nicknames again. Whatever you do don’t call the TS a “gun”. Jk  

Oh boy, here we go with the equipment nicknames again. Whatever you do don’t call the TS a “gun”. Jk  

I agree bad habit.

Show up to help cops with their investigation, new coworker ILL GET THE GUN DAVE gawd don’t call it that

The first one I ever learned was the bullpr!ck.

That's a frostpin you vulgar ogre...

3 to 5 pound short handle sledgehammer, "the persuader"

medium handle = Asswhipper.

The 12 pound sledge hammer was called the least squares adjustment tool.

The planimeter was a buggy.

A reflector prism is 'glass'

A tripod is '"legs", not too much of a stretch.

A small distance has a bunch of names, some not polite.

Let's not forget the "chariot"

Let's not get into the many names for a piece of wood in the ground. We discussed that not long ago.

A surveyor told me the notes left by an old county surveyor called the dark rounded stones used for section monuments in that area "hardheads" or another similar but politically unacceptable term.

Your magnetic locator is a Schony, Maggie, magic yellow stick, buzzer, pin finder, ...

In an attempt at humor my bent-up brass instrument is Gloria, as in Sick Transit Gloria. The pruner is Cindy Lopper.

Range pole (prism pole, etc.) was known as The Jake.  From Jacob's Staff

Traffic cones were called "Freds".  Small company I was a crew chief for didn't have much start up capitol, so the owner liberated cones from the side of the road.  A few had 'City of Fred.' (Frederick) painted on the inside.

When I got to a job and needed the metal detector, shovel, tape, and flagging I'd tell my instrument operator to "round up the usual suspects." 

..Traffic cones were called "Freds".  Small company I was a crew chief for didn't have much start up capitol, so the owner liberated cones from the side of the road.  A few had 'City of Fred.' (Frederick) painted on the inside...

One of my crew chiefs back in the day had an impressive collection of safety cones.  Most were labeled with the names of the municipalities around the greater metro area.  I used to warn him that someone was eventually going to want their's back.  I don't think that ever happened.

A few of my favorites that I remember were: 

FUNERAL

SCHOOL

CHURCH

SLOW (on one side) MEN WORKING (on the opposing side)

CAUTION HOT TAR

OPEN TRENCH

There were also several at that time weren't that interesting.  They might be collectible now.  You'll age yourself if you can recognize:

SWBT - The "SW" meant Southwest.  That designation changed depending on which part of the US you were located, but the "BT" stayed the same.

SWBT - The "SW" meant Southwest.  That designation changed depending on which part of the US you were located, but the "BT" stayed the same.

One of old Ma Bell's offspring  

My private nickname for the Javad is "Borg Cube". You will be assimilated.

Bill's reference to Cindy Lopper took me back to a time when my youngest daughter was still at home.  She and my wife decided they were going to name a few critters, just for fun.  One heifer was Naomi Cowbell and another was Cindy Cowford.  For some reason, one young bull became Bull Gibson.

Attitude Adjuster - I carry a 1.5 inch iron pipe in the truck for purposes of sleeving the top of 3/4 inch pipes (which is what I typically set for parcel corners along with a concrete plug and a brass tag in the top) in the event that they are set out of position.  If the 3/4 inch pipe is too far out of position (usually > 0.10') to coax it over to the right spot with the hammer then I call out for the attitude adjuster and that usually takes care of it.

Cake Cutter - This refers to my "lucky" Sandvik brush axe which I carry in the woods as a hybrid machete/hammer for setting traverse nails.

Nips - Hand pruner for trimming light brush and manicuring rose bushes which are unfortunate enough to be on line  

The planimeter was a buggy.

My partner came into my office today; asking if I knew the name of the gadget we used to use to calculate area of odd shapes, on a scalable drawing. He said he used to call it a bug...

I knew what he was talking about, but couldn't remember; Planimeter. I was finally able to figure out the correct question to ask Google.