Off-side is on the driver's side - On the right of the vehicle where you drive on the left hand side of the road - like in UK.
Front is pretty obvious.
CV stands for Constant Velocity Joint
Gaiter is a rubber cover that protects the CV joint from dirt.
Look at the drive mechanism behind the front wheel on the driver's side for a black cover. It will be somewhat dirty from road mess.
Richard Buxton, October 2008
