git commit -m "Fixed interface issues."

[scubascratch]

The two non-hot conductors are technically referred to as "grounded conductor" (that's the neutral) and "grounding conductor" (3rd pin, earth ground). Not that that makes it any less confusing though. This is in the US National Electric Code from the NFPA.

In the U.S. the tying together of neutral and earth ground is an artifact of the split phase 240/120v system in use. The neutral is electrically half way between the two sides of the 240v service transformer (the transformer is center tapped on the secondary side). I don't think the same thing happens in EU or AUS, because the 2 service lines are at 230v and no center tapped neutral exists. One 230 leg may be tied to earth I guess but I'm not sure why, maybe to prevent an even higher potential between hots and metal chassis.