> Hey, I wondered that too, but now I must wonder:
> > > who is the gaffer?
>
> > The gaffer is the master electrician.
>
> Howard, this term probably comes from Gaff tape, which is used to hold extension cords together and hold plugs to the wall outlet (at least in live theater, I can only assume that the uses are the same in film).

Possibly... I'm more inclined to think that the tape gets its name from somewhere else, and that that place is also where the gaffer gets his name. I'm not up on the etymology, but I know that the term "gaffer" has been in existence longer than the tape has (though not always used to mean the same thing). I don't really know, though...