# When all four of your turn signals are blinking, what do you call that? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 3, 2004, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338 "2004-07-03T04:14:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/21 "2004-07-03T08:04:02Z")
I _think_ turn signals and blinkers are used interchangably here in Minnesota. At least, I know that blinker = turn signal and vice versa. The funky button that lets people know your car is broke turns on one’s hazards. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/22 "2004-07-03T11:43:10Z")
Here in the MidWest we call 'em weasel grommets. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/23 "2004-07-03T11:53:52Z")
Ohio here…turn signals or blinkers, and hazard lights. Isn’t a fourway a type of Cincinnati Chili? ---
**Author:** ![35340](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/8baadc/32.png) [@35340](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/35340)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/24 "2004-07-03T12:28:38Z")
indicator - picked that up from work, where my peer group weighs heavily towards Brits and Canadians. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/25 "2004-07-03T12:49:10Z")
“Flashers,” though I’d understand “hazards.” Turn signals. Philly girl, primarily, though I did live in Southern California during my late teens and early 20s, and that’s where I learned to drive. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/26 "2004-07-03T13:58:09Z")
> [@saramamalana](#): > > I use the same terminology. I’m Long Island born and raised. Which makes me question **Mehitabel** ’s saying that people call them “four-ways.” 🙂 I’ve never heard that! Interesting…I, too, was born and bred on Long Island, and the term was always “four-way flashers.” Never just “four-ways.” And definitely never just “flashers!” (I imagine 4 guys in trench coats, one on each corner of the car, opening their trench coats in unison over and over…) Could be a regional thing , even within Long Island. Those folks over on the east end do have some peculiar habits… I’ve lived in Jersey for 10 years now (!) and since switched to calling them hazards. I think I say “blinker” more often than “turn signal,” though I’m not really sure. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/27 "2004-07-03T14:08:37Z")
Brit checking in. > [@Mynn](#): > > indicator - picked that up from work, where my peer group weighs heavily towards Brits and Canadians. “Indicators” when used one one side to _indicate_ a turn or lane change, “hazards” when flashing all four, legally only supposed to be used when broken down, but also used as: Magic “I can park anywhere I damn like” lights. Typically used by _white-van-man_ to block bus or cycle lanes. (Flashing) Hazard lights have also been unofficially\*\*\*\*\* adopted over here to signal “stopped traffic ahead” on motorways allowing drivers behind you to slow down in plenty of time coming up to a jam. \*\*\*\*\*I’m assuming this is not in the highway code, but I passed my test mumblymum years ago so maybe now it’s kosher? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/28 "2004-07-03T14:10:05Z")
SE Georgia, here: hazard lights ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/29 "2004-07-03T14:11:02Z")
Kansas City and St Louis. Hazards and signals or blinkers (used interchangably) ---
**Author:** ![Morelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Morelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morelin)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/30 "2004-07-03T14:45:40Z")
> [@saramamalana](#): > > I use the same terminology. I’m Long Island born and raised. Which makes me question **Mehitabel** ’s saying that people call them “four-ways.” 🙂 I’ve never heard that! Yeah, I’m from the Island and called them hazards. Never heard of four-ways. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/31 "2004-07-03T14:56:51Z")
Born & raised in East TN, and they’re “hazard lights” to me, hazards for short. Blinkers are turn signals. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/32 "2004-07-03T14:58:20Z")
Montrealer checking in. When I want to use the “correct” term, I say “hazard lights”. Casually, they’re “hazards”. “Flashers” is reserved for the turn signals. I’ve never heard anyone use “fourway” before. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/33 "2004-07-03T15:07:29Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > “Flashers” is reserved for the turn signals. That would really confuse folks here in Sector R, where turn signals are “blinkers,” and the hazard lights are “flashers.” The only meaning I can assign to a “four-way” has to do with an adventuresome Saturday night, three complete strangers, and a plethora of permutations and combinations. Adult audiences only. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/34 "2004-07-03T15:08:58Z")
They’re hazard lights" . I’d understand flashers, but fourways would make me think of stop signs (or something not g-rated) and completely confuse me. Also, the only people I’ve ever heard say blinkers instead of turn signals are elderly people. Maybe it was once a more universally common term? ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/35 "2004-07-03T15:13:22Z")
All four: “Flashers,” though I’d understand “hazards.” Never heard “four ways” which is funny because **Ruby** has, and I grew up around Indianapolis (though I’m in MD now). One at a time: “Turn signals.” I’ve heard “blinkers” but it always sounds too cutesy for me to use. Only heard “indicators” in the UK. If you were British, I’d probably understand. If you were a yank, I’d likely think you meant the oil light or something. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/36 "2004-07-03T17:08:45Z")
“Hazards” here in central Illinois. Never ever heard “four-ways” used for this; if you mentioned “fourways” I’d think you were talking about stop signs, or maybe your sex life. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/37 "2004-07-03T17:50:31Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > Ohio here…turn signals or blinkers, and hazard lights. Isn’t a fourway a type of Cincinnati Chili? Yes, but go for the five way. You know you want to! Also Ohio. Turn signals and hazards. Or, when I’m driving and trying desperately to find the button to turn on the hazards, they are “the goddamn lights that’ll keep some jackass from rear-ending me” but that’s just because the Jeep’s button is in a stupid place (above the radio). ---
**Author:** ![1010011010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ea666f/32.png) [@1010011010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1010011010)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/38 "2004-07-03T19:04:22Z")
They growed me up in Nashville… it’s “Hazard Lights” for all four, and “blinkers” or “turn signal” otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![angelicate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@angelicate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angelicate)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/39 "2004-07-03T20:33:30Z")
I’m from South Texas. Hazard lights when they’re all going, blinkers or left/right turn signal when you want to indicate that you’ll be turning soon. Mostly blinkers, though. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2004, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338/40 "2004-07-03T22:04:18Z")
I learned to drive in Washington state. I’ve always called them hazard lights. Of course, I also call my turn signal by the complicated and arcane terminology “my turn signal.” For some reason, I don’t like cutesy colloquialisms. I don’t say soda or pop; I say “soft drink.” I don’t say leave a message on my machine, I say “voice mail.” A VW Beetle, however, is and will always be a “bug.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-all-four-of-your-turn-signals-are-blinking-what-do-you-call-that/253338.md?page=3)