gender mender

gender mender
 n.

   [common] 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 RS232C specification and the distinction
   between DTE and DCE. Used esp. for RS-232C parts in either the
   original D-25 or the IBM PC's bogus D-9 format. Also called gender
   bender, gender blender, sex changer, and even homosexual adapter;
   however, there appears to be some confusion as to whether a male
   homosexual adapter has pins on both sides (is doubly male) or sockets
   on both sides (connects two males).
    

gender mender
sex changer

   <hardware> (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)