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wigwag

English translation: flashing on and off alternately

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:wigwag
Selected answer:flashing on and off alternately
Entered by: Jack Doughty

08:15 Feb 2, 2016
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Engineering (general)
English term or phrase: wigwag
Can anyone explain what "wigwag" means?
Here is the sentence that this word is used.

"Variable speed limit signs allow the tunnel operator to vary the speed displayed to motorists in the tunnel. They incorporate a set of ‘wig wag’ lights which signify to motorists that the speed is being changed. These were observed to operate correctly during the emergency."
leg4leg
Türkiye
Local time: 06:11
flashing on and off alternately
Explanation:
Flashing lights, in this case warning motorists that the speed limit is changing.
Selected response from:

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 04:11
Grading comment
Thank you for your help!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +5flashing on and off alternately
Jack Doughty


  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
flashing on and off alternately


Explanation:
Flashing lights, in this case warning motorists that the speed limit is changing.


    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wigwag
Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 04:11
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 86
Grading comment
Thank you for your help!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Victoria Britten: In which I discover that it's the actual official name, not just another one of my Dad's inventions!
12 mins
  -> Thank you. Yes, I'd never come across it before either.
agree  Charles Davis: New to me too!
2 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  Yvonne Gallagher
3 hrs
  -> Тhank you.
agree  Helena Chavarria: Interesting!
10 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  jccantrell: I agree but would make clear that it is usually two lights, not just one flashing light.
13 hrs
  -> Тhank you. It's almost certain that is the case, but this context doesn't prove it.
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