pirated electricity
[ˈpaɪrətɪd ɪˈlɛktrɪsɪti]
noun
eletricidade pirateada
1. Electricity that is illegally obtained by tapping into power lines or bypassing meter systems without paying the utility company
The neighborhood suffered from widespread pirated electricity, with residents stealing power directly from the grid.
O bairro sofria com a eletricidade pirateada generalizada, com moradores roubando energia diretamente da rede.
2. Unauthorized electrical supply obtained through illegal connection methods to avoid billing
The utility company discovered that over 30% of homes in the favela were using pirated electricity.
A companhia de energia descobriu que mais de 30% das casas na favela estavam usando eletricidade pirateada.
In Brazil, particularly in Rio de Janeiro's favelas and lower-income areas, pirated electricity (gato) is a widespread informal economy practice and social issue. The term 'gato' has become deeply embedded in Brazilian Portuguese slang and Portuguese media coverage of urban poverty and infrastructure challenges. It represents a complex socioeconomic issue combining poverty, lack of infrastructure access, and utility company challenges. In the USA, this is less culturally significant but recognized in discussions of utility fraud and electrical safety hazards.
NYC Slang
juice jacking (when referring to stolen electricity in buildings); bootleg power
Related Idioms & Phrases
conectar um gato (to connect an illegal line)
puxar energia da rede (to tap into the grid)
furto de energia (theft of energy)
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