Over the years, truck drivers and other CB radio (citizens band radio) enthusiasts have developed their own “language” of sorts. While most consider this pure trucker slang, CB users with base stations can join in on the local fun if they choose. For truckers, this CB radio lingo is an important language to know in order to communicate and connect with others in the trucking industry. Here are some of the terms you should know.
- “10-4” – This means “message received” or “affirmative.”
- “10-33” – Emergency traffic
- “Breaker, breaker” – This is a general call used to get someone’s attention.
- “Chicken Coop” – This refers to a weigh station “Chicken coop is clear” = weigh station is open
- “Copy that” – This means “I understand” or “I hear you.”
- “Alligator/Gator/Highway Gator” – A piece of rubber from a blown out tire that is on the road. Truckers warn one another about these safety hazards
- “Good buddy” – This is a friendly term used to address someone on the CB.
- “Go juice/motion lotion” – Diesel fuel
- “Negatory” – This means “no” or “negative.”
- “Over” – This is used to indicate that you’re finished speaking and are awaiting a response.
- “Keep the shiny side up” – have a safe trip (don’t wreck and roll over your truck).
- “Roger” – This means “message received” or “affirmative.”
- “Smoky” – This refers to a police officer or highway patrolman.
- “Smokey bear” – This is another term for a police officer.
- “Eyeballs” – to see something important
- “Kojak with a Kodak” – a law enforcement officer with a radar gun
- “Ten-nine” – This means “repeat your last transmission.”
- “Gumball Machine” – a police officer’s lights
- “What’s your 20?” – This means “what’s your location?”
- “Bear in the air” – This refers to a police helicopter.
- “Big 10-4” – This means “yes” or “affirmative.”
- “Four wheeler” – standard car (not a truck)
- “Roller Skate” – small cars, like a beetle or a Prius
- “Catch you on the flip-flop” – This means “see you later.”
- “Copy the mail” – This means “I heard you loud and clear.”
- “Reefer” – a trailer that is refrigerated for
- “Got your ears on?” – This means “are you listening?”
- “Hammer Lane” – the far-left (fast) lane on a highway
- “Granny Lane” – the far-right (slow) lane on a highway
- “Hammer down” – This means “to accelerate quickly.”
- “Put the hammer down” – This means “to accelerate quickly.”
- “Ten-four, good buddy” – This means “message received, friend.”
- “Lot Lizard” – a crude term for a female prostitute who solicits in parking lots at truck stops
- “What’s your handle?” – This means “what’s your CB radio nickname?”
- “Bear Bait” – a speeding, erratic driver on 4 wheels
- “Bear Cave” – a police/highway patrol headquarters
- “Bear trap” – This refers to a speed trap or other type of police enforcement.
- “Paper Hanger” – another term for an offer issuing speeding tickets; also called a bear bite or green stamp
- “Local Yokel” – A small town, local police officer
- “Break one-nine” – This is a general call to initiate communication on channel 19.
- “Meat wagon” – ambulance
- “Convoy” – a group of truckers, usually three or more, traveling together in a line
- “Front Door” – the leader (first truck) in a convoy
- “Wiggle Wagons” – refers to the set of trailers a truck is pulling
- “Bob tail” – a truck with no trailer
- “Radio Check” – a term used when a trucker is asking how his/her radio sounds
- “10-30” – does not conform to FCC rules
- “Diesel Bear” – a DOT officer
- “Come on” – This means “go ahead and speak.”
- “Blackball” – This means you have a headlight out
- “Hitting the jackpot” – getting pulled over by a state trooper
- “Shake City” – a term for a city with lots of earthquakes, like Los Angeles
- “Skateboard” – a flatbed trailer
- “Bumper Sticker” – a tailgating car (one that’s traveling way too close)
- “Comic book” – A trucker’s log book
- “Double Nickel” – 55 MPH speed limit for trucks
- “Copy the 20” – This means “I copied your location.”
- “Freight shaker” – a Freightliner truck
- “Eyes on” – This means “I see you” or “I have visual contact.”
- “Got your back door” – This means “I’m following you.”
- “Mercy sakes” – This is an expression of surprise or amazement.
- “Put the pedal to the metal” – This means “to accelerate quickly.”
- “Ten-twenty” – This means “location.”
- “You got it” – This means “I understand” or “affirmative.”
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to CB talk!