wig-wag

n. a rapidly alternating or strobing warning light. Also attributive. Subjects: English

Editorial Note: Often plural, since the lights are rarely used singly. Semaphore flags have long been called “wig-wags” in the Navy, Marines, and other military and paramilitary organizations.

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Citations: 1986 Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada) (Apr. 22) “Train gives youth rude awakening”: They said the car…was northbound on Bathurst Street on Sunday night when the driver lost control. She was making a right turn and struck a CN wig-wag signal on the main north-south line. 1988 Andre Jackson St. Louis Post-Dispatch (St. Louis, Mo.) (Jan. 7) “Special Squad Fights Auto Thefts” p. 5: On occasion, Bottini hit the red wig-wag lights behind the grille and pulled a motorist over. 1990 Usenet: rec.railroad (May 10) “Re: What’s a Banjo Eye?”: The banjo crossing signal, also called a wig-wag, was (and still might be in some places) a round target with a hole in the center that swung back and forth when activated. Looked somewhat like a banjo being swung back and forth by its neck. 1991 Usenet: misc.emerg-services (Apr. 9) “Re: Still More Lights (and wig-wags!)”: I’ve had folks tell me that the first thing they saw when I was approaching was the headlights wig-wag: way before my halogen light bar or sealed beam red/blue wig-wags.…Anyone can flash their headlights, but only emergency vehicles have wig-wags ;-). 1993 Emergency Services Discussion List Usenet: misc.emerg-services (Aug. 10) “Re: headlights, was Re: CODE 3 transport”: Headlights on during the day—yes. Wig-wags on during the day—yes. 2006 Meryl Getline USA Today (Feb. 20) “Why do pilots want to kill the rabbit?”: Part Two of Question: What are the yellow flashing lights that move from side to side on the runway? They put you in the mind of caution lights. If these are caution lights, why would they be on the runway or taxiway? Answer: They’re called “wig-wags” and are used in low visibility to help prevent pilots from inadvertently taxiing onto a runway without a clearance (known as a “runway incursion”).…The term “wig-wags” is also used to describe other types of alternating lights, such as the landing lights Southwest uses on their fleet for improved visibility.

Posted 20 Mar 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend