jalopy

Etymology

Origin unknown.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dʒəˈlɒ.pi/

Noun

jalopy (plural jalopies)

1. (US) An old, dilapidated vehicle.
   • 1979, Jack Kerouac, On the road, page 3:

     Dean is the perfect guy for the road because he was actually born on the road, when his parents were passing through Salt Lake City in 1926, in a jalopy, on their way to Los Angeles.

   • 2003, Terrance Dicks & Barry Letts, Deadly Reunion, chapter 22:

     There's only a rough track and I doubt if that jalopy of yours will make it.