Strange usage

When I first came to New York as an adult, I was both shocked and amused to see these signs on water utility hookups. We Californians were far too sensitive and advanced ever to use the old, racist term “Siamese Twins” for conjoined twins — much less apply it to a piece of public equipment! But now that I’ve been here, on and off, for many years, I almost find it endearing that New York staunchly refuses to be anything but its unruly old self.