dipstick

American  

[dip-stik] / ˈdɪpˌstɪk /

noun

1. a rod for measuring the depth of a liquid; especially, a thin metal rod used to measure the oil level in the crankcase of an automotive engine.

2. Slang. fool; jerk.

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dipstick British  

/ ˈdɪpˌstɪk /

noun

1. a graduated rod or strip dipped into a container to indicate the fluid level

2. slang a fool

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Etymology

Origin of dipstick

First recorded in 1925–30; dip ¹ + stick ¹

Example Sentences

Under the hood of the Sport Hybrid you will find an assortment of yellow filler caps, dipstick handles and boxes, color-coded to indicate regular service items.

From The Wall Street Journal

The MP has suffered from menopause-induced UTIs for more than a decade but said the "dipstick" test usually used to diagnose an infection was not sensitive enough.

From BBC

The company says heat and pressure can build up in the transmission, expelling fluid from the dipstick tube.

From Seattle Times

Eventually, I found the dipstick which reads nothing.

From Seattle Times

Silva jumped right into the preflight inspection, calculating the fuel levels with a dipstick.

From Washington Post