L.A. Speak : Overheard Underground

bull gang n . the crew stuck with cleaning up tunnel construction and shoring up the work site. “One more screw-up and you’ll be working the bull gang .”

hot permit n . the go-ahead to use oxygen-acetylene torches in the gassy tunnels. “Better hold off that torching until we get the hot permit from the boss.”

loci n . pronounced “LOW-key,” as in locomotive. An underground train, sometimes eight cars long or more, used to haul dirt and construction equipment into the tunnel.

losing face v . suffering a cave-in at the front of the tunnel. “Get the hell out of there! You’re losing face .” Also: running ground.

muck stick n . a shovel used to clear dirt or muck. Not to be confused with a double jack (a sledgehammer) or a digger (a clay spade).

shoot the rabbit v . to clean out leftover concrete mix from the pump hose by running a heavy ball down it; when the “rabbit” shoots out the bottom, it’s not a good place to be standing. “Clear it out down there. We’re gonna shoot the rabbit .”

soup n . muddy, loose soil that can make the digger’s life miserable. All too common along Hollywood Boulevard. Also: slop .

void n . a hole in the wall, left when the concrete along the tunnel liner doesn’t form properly.

walker n . the boss who walks the tunnel, checking the work.