L.A. Speak / On the Hook

big rig n. heavy-set tow-truck driver.

bird-dog v. to scam a tow from another driver. “I oughta smash that guys police scanner so he’ll stop bird-dogging my tows.”

clutch master n. tow-truck driver who abuses the clutch.

over the side adj. describing a vehicle that’s plunged off a cliff, fallen into a ravine or just plain gone off the side of the road.

crash n. accident-prone driver. “That’s the fourth time I’ve towed that crash this month.”

Ramone n. tow-truck driver who is always getting lost. “That Ramone missed another call yesterday--he couldn’t find 1st Street.”

dolly job n. vehicle, often stolen, with no wheels.

Tonka truck n. small tow truck doing a big tow truck’s job.

low boy n. special tow trailer designed to carry heavy equipment. “Dispatch a low boy--we’ve got an over the side RTD bus.”

stupid in public n. driver whose stupidity is cause to call a tow truck. var. misdemeanor stupid in public: driver who should also be issued a ticket; and felonious stupid in public: driver who should also be jailed.