L.A. SPEAK

Southern California dockworkers have a loaded language all their own. To wit:

California front: n . disguising haphazardly packed cargo by arranging the last tier to appear tidy and precisely stacked. “I know they put a California front on that stow.”

cut loose: v . to be laid off. “She’s been cut loose for over a month.”

drop ‘n’ go: n. permission to leave, usually when the lashing work is finished and the cargo is secure. “He went to the job this morning and got the drop ‘n’ go. “

dunnage: n. literally, packing material. Refers to a bad worker, someone unreliable and irresponsible. “He’s nothing but dunnage. “

flop: v. to refuse a job. “I flopped yesterday and went to the beach.”

hungry sheet: n. a sign-up sheet for workers willing to take late assignments or a partial day’s work. “With six kids and two ex-wives, he’s always on the hungry sheet. “

ringer: n . seven consecutive days worked. “He’s been on two ringers this month.”

San Diegos: n . low-stacked boxes a dockworker has to squat down for to pick up. From southerly location of the city. “Hey, he left all the San Diegos for you.”

squaring off: v. taking a personal day off work. “She’s squaring off today. Her baby has the flu.”