Straight
Straight turns up in 2 fields: refractories, telecom & it. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Straight in refractories
The standard rectangular firebrick, 9 by 4.5 by 2.5 inches in US sizing, used as the counting unit for brickwork.
The basic rectangular refractory shape. In US practice the 9-inch straight measures 9 x 4.5 x 2.5 in (about 230 x 114 x 64 mm), with a 3-inch series of 9 x 4.5 x 3 used where fewer joints are wanted. Larger straights run up to 13.5 and 18 inches long. Brick quantities are often converted to 9-inch equivalents so different shapes can be priced and counted on one basis.
"Order 4,000 straights and 300 splits, plus a pallet of soaps for the burner openings."
Straight in telecom & it
A telegraphic message routed and delivered at full priority without delay.
A historic telegraphy routing class indicating a message sent at full rate for immediate delivery. Unlike deferred or night letters, straight traffic was pushed to the front of the queue and transmitted as fast as the operators and circuits could handle it.
"We've three straight messages waiting for the New York wire, so hold the routine traffic."