Term for kind of cable

I think it's called armoured cabling over here (UK).

Worth a try.

Thanks Lordy, I'll look into that

Edited to confirm, yep that's what I'm looking for, thanks again Lordy

I was trying to think of the stuff we used when my brother (electrician) ran electrics outside in the garden.
Couldn't think of it, so I phoned him. After a long gossip, I can now tell you that it is also known as SWA (Steel Wire Armoured).

Yea Lordy I noted that some of the cables were labeled that way so I wonder if you might save me the trouble of getting bogged down (in my incredible laziness) with an afternoon scanning Google and OneLook by explaining the apparent contradiction in "Steel wire armored." Assuming the wire is still copper but that the cable is armored with wound steel armor, galvanized strap, or whatever you call it

If you get the chance please ask your bro whether there's a special variety meant to be buried and what's it called

The steel wire is just the "armouring" round the outside, Dale. Everything on the inside is conventional copper wiring.

This steel wiring is encased in a heavy duty waterproof coating and is designed to run underground, although you can run it above ground if you wish.

Apparently, you can hit that cable with a jackhammer and it will just bounce off.

From memory, it was quite expensive, but lasts for ever.

Lordy you've been very helpful but I'm reconsidering steel-wrapped in favor of something lighter and easier to handle. So I'm wondering if instead there's such a thing, for instance, as plastic-wrapped and if so what it's called

I'm most interested however in the outer wrap, which I'd hope to be suitable for burial

Thanks once more