Jerry Lamps

Tasmanian slang for fog lights, which are lights, typically yellow or white, mounted low on vehicles that emit a wide, downward-angled beam to help drivers see the road and its edges during conditions of low visibility, such as fog, rain, or dust. They are named after the Bridgewater Jerry, a thick fog that frequently rolls down the River Derwent into Hobart, Tasmania, particularly during autumn and winter. The name combines the suburb of Bridgewater with the slang term 'jerry' for mist or fog. The term "Jerry Lamps" is a localised colloquialism specific to Tasmania. While the primary function of these lights is consistent with standard fog lights globally, their unique nomenclature is rooted in local geography and dialect. The Bridgewater Jerry is a well-known meteorological phenomenon in the region, impacting visibility and thus necessitating the use of such auxiliary lighting. The etymology of 'jerry' as a term for fog or mist in this context is a regional linguistic quirk.