Crocodile clip
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A crocodile clip or alligator clip is a clip named for its resemblance to a crocodile's jaws. The clip's two tapered, serrated jaws are forced together by a spring to make them grip. Its construction is similar to that of a clothespin. Crocodile clips are used in dental offices or by barbers to attach protective covers over customer's clothes. They are also famous as roach clips, to hold short marijuana cigarettes.
In electronics a crocodile clip is used to make a temporary electrical connection to a metal object, and one of the jaws usually has a wire permanently attached for connection to an electrical circuit. The clip may be partly covered by a plastic shroud or 'boot' to prevent accidental short-circuits.
Large versions of these clips, made of bare copper, are fitted to battery chargers and car jump leads (jumper cables), which are used to transfer energy from a fully charged lead-acid battery or power source to an drained battery. Smaller versions, often nickel-plated to help them resist corrosion, are used in electrical laboratory work.
Crocodile clips can be connected to RJ11 Jacks to create a beige box. The crocodile clips are attatched to a telephone line, allowing illegal use or monitoring.
These clips are frequently used in school physics laboratories to quickly and cheaply assemble circuits.