Is there a SAFE, lo-tech way to test which wire is hot and which is neutral?
If you can get an AC voltmeter, put one test lead on one of the wires and the other lead to building ground. The wire that reads 120vac is the hot side.
The other wire will be the neutral, and will read much lower.
“Is there a SAFE, lo-tech way to test which wire is hot and which is neutral?”
Easy. Find someone with an “owebama-biteme” sticker on their car. Invite them over to talk about what a great pResident we have. When they are overcome with rapture ask them “Hey, hold this wire for me, OK?”
That being said, remember what my Grandpa told me: there is no problem in life that cannot be overcome through the judicious application of high explosives.
The white wire is the neutral.
The black wire is the hot
On the receptacle (outlet) blade, the small one is the hot and large one is the neutral.
You really need to find someone with a volt meter