noun
jalopy
juh-LAH-pee/dʒəˈlɑːpi/
An old, worn-out car.
The battered jalopy has rusty wheel arches, dented panels, and a flat tire.
Etymology
Its origin is unknown. One suggestion connects it with Jalapa, Mexico, where used American cars were supposedly sent, but that connection is uncertain.
In context
interesting copy but my broadcast well it so happened the Carroll Curtis my blonde secretary and I had nothing better planned for the weekend so we wound up the old jalopy and headed out into the desert
More examples
- We traded our jalopy for a reliable used sedan.
- Two rusty jalopies sit behind the repair shop.
- That jalopy barely makes it up the hill.
Forms
jalopy · jalopies
Similar words
- beater
- Emphasizes heavy use and rough condition rather than age.
- clunker
- Emphasizes poor mechanical condition and can describe other machines.