L.A. SPEAK

Joining the exodus from L.A.? Here are some terms your movers may throw around. bug storm: n . insect infestation in a piece of furniture. “There was such a bug storm in that couch, it was moving by itself.” diaper-wrap: v . to wrap protective pads around furniture. “We’d better diaper-wrap this glass table.” dummy markers: n . cones placed in the street to alert oncoming traffic to the hazard of a moving van in the road. fubar: n . inventory description of a badly damaged item. An old term, it stands, more or less, for “fouled-up-beyond-repair.” hump: v . to move furniture without the use of dollies. “We had to hump four beds down the stairs.” spin: n . a job where customers are no-shows. “We went to that apartment in Santa Monica, but it turned out to be a spin. “ tattletale clock: n . device in the truck that prints speed, drive time and stop time. “You don’t believe it took 11 hours to get from Pasadena to Palos Verdes? Check my tattletale clock. “