Originally Posted by
SteveH
Strain relief. Keeps the wires from pulling on the connector when humans trip over things....
Exactly what SteveH said!
Making us cross eyed is just a happy bonus!
I should mention, I'm sure you already know: Make sure you slip that bakelite cover over the wires -before- you start tying knots and such. I've had to take these things apart so many times because I forgot that thing...