sparky

comparative sparkier · superlative sparkiest

1. Lively and animated.

   1986 July, Texas Monthly, page 103, Anthony's certainly hasn′t achieved the consistent level of Tony′s, but the menu is sparkier, more up to the minute.

   2 more examples

   With regular trains running back to Edinburgh as late as 11.30pm, you could consider sampling some of Glasgow′s nightlife, consistently sparkier and more cutting-edge than Edinburgh′s, or taking in some of the city′s innovative and high-quality theatre and live music.

   2002, Donald Reid, The Rough Guide to Edinburgh, page 134

   She was recruited on the spot, completing a highly controversial line-up that would go on to produce some of the sparkiest, sassiest music of the early 80s.

   2003, Jonathan Kennaugh, “Bow Wow Wow”, in Peter Buckley, editor, The Rough Guide to Rock, page 129

2. Resembling or characteristic of an electrical spark.

   […] a sparky sound too. A little high-pitched crack.

   2022, Allan Brewer, The Complete i-Vector Series

plural sparkies

1. NavyUSA radio operator.

   1 more example

   The headlines ground out big and black at home, but by the time they had gone out on the Fleet broadcast circuits, been picked out of the air by Mr. Woodside′s sparkies in the radio shack, whacked onto a stencil and run through a mimeograph machine by Harry Dolliver, they were not nearly so impressive.

   1964, Arnold S. Lott, Brave Ship, Brave Men, published 1994, page 77

2. AustraliaNew ZealandUKAn electrician.

   Pete said that the sparkies, the electricians, had turned the power off.

   2004, Stephanie Smith, Underground London, UK: Hachette, unnumbered page

   3 more examples

   […]the manager of one of the largest hotels, also a committee member ‘let it be known that sparkies working for the hotel should be involved in the programme. The next day saw three very keen contractors ring us up to enrol.’

   2001, Jane Kenway, Peter Kelly, Sue Willis, “6: Manufacturing the Global Locality, Customizing the School and Designing Young Workers”, in Jack Demaine, editor, Sociology of Education Today, UK: Palgrave, page 138

   Sam and Jamie set up the barbecue and tables they′d borrowed from the surf club, Tony organised all the tradesmen, the chippies quickly put the first platform in place so Fizz could set up her sound system while the sparkies rigged up sound and lights, and the plumbers were happy to act as security.

   2008, Laurine Croasdale, Surf Sisters, Pan Macmillan Australia, page 122

   2010, Meegan Jones, Sustainable Event Management: A Practical Guide, Earthscan, UK and US, page 86, You need to educate yourself so you can talk turkey with the sparkies. You don′t need an electrician′s qualification, but if you can demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles behind supplying power to your event, you can have a decent conversation about options and solutions.

1. A nickname for a person who is lively and animated.

   1 more example

   You should keep working, driving for whatever goal you have your eye on, while at the same time avoiding a tip over into a workaholic relapse. How? By becoming a manager, Sparky. The purpose of management is to make other people do the things that need doing, so you can think about strategy and leave early.

   2007 November, Gil Schwartz, “Escape from the job monster”, in Men's Health, volume 22, number 9, →ISSN, page 122

2. A name for a pet, traditionally especially a dog, with similar connotations.