Wiktionary
n. A vehicle used as public transport in the Philippines, originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and well known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating.
Wikipedia
Jeepneys, sometimes called simply jeeps, are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They are known for their crowded seating and kitsch decorations, which have become a ubiquitous symbol of Philippine culture and art. A Sarao jeepney was exhibited at the Philippine pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair as a national image for the Filipinos.
Jeepneys were originally made from U.S. military jeeps left over from World War II. The word jeepney may be a portmanteau word – some sources consider it a combination of "jeep" and " jitney", while other sources say "jeep" and "knee", because the passengers sit in very close proximity to each other. Most jeepneys are used as public utility vehicles. Some are used as personal vehicles. Jeepneys are used less often for commercial or institutional use.
Usage examples of "jeepney".
Jeepneys are normally made outside of Manila in towns or barangays (semiautonomous neighborhoods) that specialize in same.
Cobb and McLanahan waited near a group of soldiers until a civilian contractor-hired "Guam Bomb" jeepney bus, its body rusting and its broken leaf springs squeaking with every movement, trundled by, then stepped on board-the bus was so full it looked as if the fat native Chamorro driver had to sit sideways to let riders on.
Concept of jeepney is impossible to convey fully here: a minibus, usually named after a pop star, Biblical figure, or abstract theological concept, whose engine & frame come from American, or Nipponese auto company but whose entire body, seats, upholstery, & encrustations of lurid decor are locally manufactured by high-spirited artisans.
For about the first thirty seconds after the dome light has gone off and the Shaftoes have finished saying their prayers out loud, Randy lies there feeling the Impala rock on its suspension from the wake-blasts of passing long-haul semis and feels considerably more alienated than he did while trying to sleep in the jeepney in the jungle town in northern Luzon.
Many of the trucks are adorned with brilliant displays of multicolored lights--not quite as flashy as those of the few jeepneys that scurry and jostle among them.
The jeepneys are modeled after old American military jeeps, but they're extended.
Many of the trucks are adorned with brilliant displays of multicolored lights—not quite as flashy as those of the few jeepneys that scurry and jostle among them.
They dodged mud and water thrown up by passing jeepneys, ancient Willys jeeps with canvas tops.