gender mender

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gender mender

(Or "gender bender", "gender blender", "sex changer", and even "homosexual adaptor") A cable connector shell with either two male or two female connectors on it, used to correct the mismatches that result when some loser didn't understand the EIA-232C specification and the distinction between DTE and DCE. Used especially for EIA-232C parts in either the original D-25 or the IBM PC's D-9 connector.

There appears to be some confusion as to whether a "male homosexual adaptor" has pins on both sides (is doubly male) or sockets on both sides (connects two males).

[Jargon File]

(1995-04-16)