idiot light

Questions

What does idiot light mean?

Any warning light or indicator on the dashboard of a car, designed to alert the driver to problems, such as the parking brake being on or the oil being low.

Where does idiot light come from?

From idiot + light, suggesting that even a stupid person with no mechanical knowledge can recognize a problem when thus indicated.

How to pronounce idiot light

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “idiot light”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “idiot light”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “idiot light” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.