[Amps] PL-259 and SO-239 cable attachments

[Gene May]

This is a semi-new thread, branching off the discussion related to cable connections that started on "Tubes vs. Solid State" then went on to "Soldering vs. Crimping":
 
I hope it isn't too stupid a question, but I have been long curious as to why there is a different convention and custom as related to RF cable and the connectors used on them vs. the male and female connectors used on AC power connections.  In the case of AC power cables, for reasons of common sense, safety and the National Electric Code, the male connectors go onto the "power using" loads or sinks, and the female connectors are on the AC power sources.  Obviously, it would be a bad idea to have the protruding bare metal prongs on male connectors "hot" with 115 VAC (unless one is trying to reduce the circle of one's acquaintences), so the "hot" leads are and should be in female sockets.  However, RF cables seem to have PL-259s on both ends, and the devices to which they are attached seem to have SO-239s, with the corresponding opportunity to touch a "hot" center prong, as well as the chance for reversing what should be the inputs and output on the device.  Am I the only reader of this that has a bag of barrel connectors, and occasionally gets annoyed at having to use them, when the AC power convention works so well?
 
I know that SO239s do not have their metal connection "buried" as deeply inside as female 115 VAC power sockets do, so don't furnish as much protection from contact with a "hot" lead.  Still, how and/or why did we depart from the power cord convention, when it would at least provide some visual warning of a "hot" lead?
 
Gene May
WB8WKU