The Origins of Trucker Slang

When you’re a truck driver communicating on the open road, you’re using radio frequencies that a lot of other people rely on at the same time. Because of that, the number one rule is to never use more airtime than you absolutely need. Out of this simple idea, an entire dictionary of trucker slang was born.

Trucker slang is a vocabulary developed by truckers on CB radios in the 1970s and 1980s. It saves time while still getting across important information about upcoming hazardous road conditions, a police presence, and other things that truckers need to be aware of while driving. Many phrases that are now common (like a person calling someone else’s spouse their “better half”) originated from what was essentially this new language that truckers slowly developed out of necessity.

10 Must-Know Trucker Terms for Beginners

While there are a seemingly endless number of examples of trucker slang out there, ten terms in particular are so common that it’s practically mandatory that you know them. Understanding what they mean (and critically, the context in which they’re used) is the key to having a successful, productive conversation while on the open road.

1. All Locked Up. This term is commonly used when one trucker warns those on the road behind him that an upcoming weight station is closed.

2. Alligator. Sometimes you’ll see this expression itself abbreviated as “gator.” It means that there are upcoming dangerous conditions on the road that truckers need to be mindful of. A piece of tire in the center of a highway could damage a truck’s hose or body, for example. Or, it could get kicked up and damage a nearby car. The term comes from the idea that you shouldn’t let it “bite you.”

3. Back It Down. This is something one trucker will say to another when they’re warning them to slow their speed. There may be a police officer coming up, or traffic may be getting hazardous for some reason.

4. Bear In the Bushes. This means that not only is there a police officer on the road up ahead, but he or she is also hiding just out of normal view. They’re probably trying to catch people who are speeding using the element of surprise.

5. “Do What?” When a trucker says something that doesn’t quite go out properly over the radio, another trucker might say “do what?” as a quick way to get them to repeat themselves.

6. Good Neighbor. If one trucker does something that you find helpful or that you approve of, you would show your appreciation by saying “thanks, good neighbor.”

7. Gumball Machine. This is yet another of the many examples of trucker slang relating to law enforcement. Here, one trucker is warning others that they see patrol car lights on the road ahead.

8. Home 20. A trucker would ask for your “Home 20” as a way to find out what your home location is.

9. In Your Back Pocket. A location is already “in your back pocket” if you have previously passed it on the road.

10. Roger. This is just another term for saying “yes,” “affirmative,” “okay,” or any other similar form of acknowledgment.

CB Radio Codes

Also commonly referred to as a “citizens band” radio, a CB radio is a type of tool that was commonly used by truckers to stay in communication with one another while on-the-road. Nowadays, wireless communication is practically ubiquitous – people have cell phones, messaging apps, industry-specific social networking tools, etc.

But for decades, when one trucker wanted to warn another about an impending road hazard, or to ask a question, or just to hold a conversation to stave off the boredom, they would use a CB radio in order to do it.
CB radio codes were developed as a type of shorthand to quickly convey an idea or a critical piece of information to others. Going beyond trucker slang like those examples outlined above, 10 codes are typically employed. This is a fast, efficient way to universally communicate ideas like:

1. 10-1. You would say this if you can’t hear another person you’re trying to communicate with.

2. 10-2. This means that you can hear other people clearly.

3. 10-3. This means that you want someone else to stop transmitting for whatever reason.

4. 10-4. This is a widely known expression that simply means “message received.”

5. 10-6. This means that you’re busy and that someone should hold on a moment before attempting to speak.

6. 10-9. You would use this 10 code when you want someone to repeat whatever it is that they just said.

7. 10-10. You would use this at the end of your transmission to let other people know that you’re done talking.

8. 10-17. You would preface a message with this, letting people know that whatever you’re about to say is urgent.

9. 10-20. You ask someone for their “20” if you are trying to find out what their exact location is.

10. 10-33. You would use this to let people know when there was emergency traffic at a station.

11. 10-45. You would say this if you wanted everyone within the broadcast range of your radio to report their status.

12. 10-100. This is the 10 code that means you’re taking a bathroom break.

Common Expressions

In addition to the CB 10 codes outlined above, there are a number of common expressions that you’re likely to hear on the radio. When talking about CB slang in particular, however, they take on a slightly different meaning than general trucker slang.

1. Ace. Someone would be referred to as “ace” if they are an important CB operator.

2. Ancient Mariner. A reference to classical literature, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, this is used to describe someone who is an AM or FM user.

3. Beam. This is another way to refer to a directional antenna.

4. Big Mama. This term describes a 9-foot whip antenna.

5. Double Key. This phrase describes when two stations are talking at the same time.

6. Fox Charlie Charlie. This is another way to describe the FCC.

7. Fox Hunt. When the FCC is actively searching for illegal operators, this is called a Fox Hunt.

8. Haircut Palace. Someone would warn another driver about a bridge or overpass with a low clearance by calling it a “Haircut Palace.”

9. Twin Huskies. This is a term used to describe someone using dual antennas.

If you’d like to find out more information about trucker lingo and the types of radio codes that are commonly used on the open road today, or if you just have any additional questions that you’d like to go over with someone in a bit more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Advanced Commercial Capital today.