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.
Here in the MidWest we call 'em weasel grommets.
Ohio here…turn signals or blinkers, and hazard lights. Isn’t a fourway a type of Cincinnati Chili?
indicator - picked that up from work, where my peer group weighs heavily towards Brits and Canadians.
“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.
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.
Brit checking in.
“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?
SE Georgia, here: hazard lights
Kansas City and St Louis.
Hazards and signals or blinkers (used interchangably)
Yeah, I’m from the Island and called them hazards. Never heard of four-ways.
Born & raised in East TN, and they’re “hazard lights” to me, hazards for short.
Blinkers are turn signals.
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.
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.
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?
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.
“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.
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).
They growed me up in Nashville… it’s “Hazard Lights” for all four, and “blinkers” or “turn signal” otherwise.
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.
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.”