How Much Do You Know About Cars?
It's time to test your car knowledge today. If you really know your stuff, you should be able to explain what all 20 of these unique car slang mean. You can definitely call yourself a true car enthusiast if you get these right!
1. Christmas Tree
While this might sound cute, it's probably the last thing you want someone saying about your car. Ever heard the phrase "lit up like a Christmas tree?" Well, in the world of car slang, Christmas tree essentially means your dashboard is being lit up with tons of warnings.
2. Lemon
When life gives you lemons...you definitely don't want it to be about your car. That's because referring to a car as a lemon is no positive thing. It simply means the car is in no shape to be driven and has significant defects that make it dangerous.
3. Shotgun
You can't say you love cars if you don't know what shotgun means. You've definitely heard someone scream out "shotgun!" before going on a car ride, right? It simply means that person is claiming dibs on riding in the front passenger seat. Which is, the best spot in our humble opinion.
4. Hang A Louie
Despite this phrase being rather fun and colorful, its meaning is quite simple. If someone tells you to "hang a Louie" when you're driving, it simply means to make a left turn.
5. Wheels
While yes, wheels are literally a part attached to a car, when used in slang, it means something totally different. If you ever hear someone tell you, "Nice wheels!" they're not complimenting your tires but your entire car. When used in a specific way, wheels simply means car.
6. U-ie
U-ie, yooey, you-ie, no matter how you spell it, you should know what it means. In all honesty, it's basically just a cuter way of saying "U-turn." It sure flows off the tongue more smoothly!
7. Jalopy
Just think of jalopy as an old-fashioned way of saying "beater car." Because that's what it means, an old car that doesn't really work anymore. Think run-down and falling apart. You definitely would never call a new or nice car a jalopy.
8. Banger
Don't mix up banger with everyday slang - while it's often used to mean really cool or amazing, it has a different meaning in the world of car slang. Turns out there are plenty of unique ways to call old cars because banger is another one. It's typically used to describe old cars that are in terrible condition.
9. Clunker
Looks like we're going three for three because clunker is another slang word used to describe old, run down cars. We'd argue clunker should be used for cars in the worst condition though. Think completely run down, barely functional, and nearing its end.
10. Hoon
If you really know your stuff, you'll likely have heard of this Australian/New Zealand car slang word, hoon. Any guesses? Hoon simply describes someone who drives incredibly recklessly and dangerously. Usually it's done by someone trying to get a reaction from witnesses.
11. Tuner
If someone calls a car a tuner, it simply means that it's been "tuned up." In other words, it's a car that's had parts changed to enhance its overall performance and function.
12. Slammed
Slammed might sound like a negative thing to say about a car, but it's not really anything mean at all. Describing a car as slammed simply means it's been modified to sit very low to the ground. This can be done for looks, for performance, or personal preference.
13. Garage Queen
Also interchangeable with "trailer queen," garage queen is just a fun way of describing a car that's been kept in pristine condition. It's more or less a car that sits in a garage all day and is rarely ever driven on the road.
14. Whip
Whip is one of the newest slang words used to describe a car. It's arguably the most modern term used nowadays. We'd be surprised if you never heard teens calling their car a whip before.
15. Crawling
For all the off-roading fans, you should definitely know what crawling means. In a way, its definition is exactly the vibe crawling gives off; it means to drive very carefully and slowly over difficult terrain.
16. Getting Aired Out
And now for the opposite of crawling; if you're going off-roading and are driving a bit aggressively, if your wheels are off the ground, it means you're getting aired out. You can just think of it as getting air time.
17. Four-Banger
What could four-banger possibly mean? For those of you who know nothing about cars, this will probably mean nothing to you. But if you're a car enthusiast, four-banger simply describes a car that has a 4 cylinder engine.
Eric Polk on Wikimedia Commons
18. Launch
This slang word is pretty much what it sounds like. Car enthusiasts are often obsessed with how quickly a car can reach 0-60mph. So launch basically means trying to get your car to go as quickly right off the pedal.
19. That'll Buff Right Out
Now this is a slang phrase that's more comedic than anything else. It's typically said by someone fixing up a car, especially if there's a lot of damage. Saying "that'll buff right out" is like a sarcastic, joking line that's said when a lot of work has to be done. In other words, it's trying to make light of the situation.
20. Wrench
While yes, wrenches may be a tool used to fix up a car, saying you know how to "turn a wrench" doesn't really refer to just the tool. If a car junkie says this to you, it more or less implies they really know how to work with cars.
