So a bit of background. We have a telegraph pole directly opposite our house that supplies 9 houses including ours, and connects to 2 other poles in the street. Some time ago it got a red 'D' on it which means (apparently) that the pole isn't safe to climb so a cherry picker is used to access the box at the top. Opposite us is also a large deciduous tree (on one neighbour's property) and the 3 lines opposite us pass through this tree's branches.
Anyway, yesterday an OpenReach van showed up along with a cherry picker. One chap got to the box via the cherry picker and began reeling in the wire from the house opposite (I presume it was detached by him from the house, I didn't see that as I wasn't aware what was happening till I heard the noise of the truck). So because we've had issues with the phone/Internet connection in the past and it's essential for DP's work, DP decided to be nosy and have a chat with the workmen standing around. On his return indoors, DP relayed they'd said the wire had been partially chewed through by squirrels (is this a thing?). I chuckled and said why would squirrels chew through a wire? DP said they'd told him that the wires have nut oil put on them. At that point I burst out laughing. Is this really true or a massive wind up by the OpenReach guys? DP isn't into pranking me and isn't great with reading others' subtle facial clues, so may have missed he was being pranked.
So, AIBU to think that telephone wires are not coated with nut oil which attracts squirrels who'll chew them as a result? (Even writing that down sounds so bizarre that it can't be true? Are there people who are tasked with oiling wires? LOL!
Spoke to neighbour later who dropped by for something else, told her what they said. She found it very odd as well! Her 'net had been acting up, we both thought it far more likely that the wind had frayed the cables via chafing than a miscreant squirrel had gotten the munchies!