A general slang term for the primary optical instrument used on a survey site, typically a total station or an older theodolite. Crew members use the term casually when referring to the setup, operation, or transport of the main instrument. It serves as a catch-all word that avoids the syllables of formal equipment names while everyone on site knows exactly which piece of expensive gear is meant.
Heard on the job
Grab the jigger and the heavy tripod, we need to set up on the control point before the sun gets too high.
Insider tip
You will mostly hear this term from older party chiefs or in Australian and British survey crews.