Standard American outlets have at least two slots. The left slot is the neutral slot, and the right slot is the hot slot.

Unless you live in an older home with two-prong outlets ... is for the neutral wire Three-prong outlets also have a third opening below the slots (i.e. the “ground”), which connects to ...

One receptacle outlet slot is bigger than the other to keep you safe from a rogue wire in your hairdryer, vacuum or coffee ...

You'll notice that not all electrical plugs are the same and might even have different inserts depending on the country. Here ...