Confusion over nomenclature - Plugs vs. Jacks (male, female)

[marce]

We avoid confusion by using the terms male and female connectors, hopefully all will be able to work out the connotation.
A socket is used for a fixed connector, a plug is generaly the bit on the end of a wire.

 

[davidsrsb]

We avoid confusion by using the terms male and female connectors, hopefully all will be able to work out the connotation.
A socket is used for a fixed connector, a plug is generaly the bit on the end of a wire.

Which can get really muddled with D-types, which can have either gender fixed. It also does not work for cable to cable connections.

 

[AndrewT]

Which can get really muddled with D-types, which can have either gender fixed. It also does not work for cable to cable connections.

Yes, your observation agrees with the principle that the signal pins can be sexed, male or female. The connector also needs to be described, whether chassis fixed or cable ended.
The connector also needs a description where the fixed portion can be of either plug/socket type and similarly the cable also needs a descriptor where it too can be either plug or socket.

I think it is the descriptors of the connector that is causing the confusion.