An Introduction to the Unique Language of Truckers

Have you ever heard a truck driver chatting on his radio and wondered what language they were speaking? It's called trucker slang, the secret code of the highways. It's a mix of words, phrases, and expressions that truckers use to communicate with each other while on the road. This unique language has been around for decades and has become an integral part of trucking culture. So, buckle up and get ready to learn a thing or two about the language of the road!

The Ins and Outs of Trucker Lingo

Trucker lingo, also known as CB (Citizens Band) radio language, is a specialized form of communication used in the trucking industry to interact with each other while on the road. It is a unique combination of words, phrases, and abbreviations that have evolved to serve the specific needs and challenges of truckers.

When drivers are cruising down the highways, they need to be able to quickly communicate about accidents, road conditions, and potential hazards ahead. Trucking slang helps keep them safe by allowing them to share important information without wasting time or causing confusion

The language of truckers is also notable for its creativity and humor. Many of the words and phrases are playful, reflecting the camaraderie and sense of community that exists among drivers. For example, a "bear" is a police officer, while a "smokey" is a state trooper. "10-4" is a common response to indicate acknowledgment, while "breaker, breaker" is a way to initiate a conversation on the CB radio.

Trucker lingo is not static but rather continues to evolve. New words and phrases are added to the lexicon as needed, while others fall out of use. While trucker language may seem confusing or even intimidating to outsiders, it is an essential part of trucking culture and a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of drivers.

Common Trucker Slang

CB Radio Codes

10-4: This means "OK" or "understood" and is one of the most widely recognized CB radio terms. It comes from the CB radio code for "message received."

10-20:  The driver's current location or position.

10-33: An emergency or urgent situation due to a variety of reasons, such as a serious accident, a medical emergency, or a dangerous road condition. It lets other truckers know that they should clear the channel and not use it for casual conversation to ensure that crucial information can be relayed quickly and efficiently during a crisis.

10-100: A code used by some truckers to indicate a restroom break.

Truck Parts and Equipment

Bobtail: A truck without a trailer, or a truck with an empty trailer attached.

Bulldog: A Mack truck, refers to the Mack truck logo which features a snarling bulldog.

Bull hauler: A flatbed trailer that is used to transport livestock.

Bunk: The sleeping area in the cab of a truck. It's also called the sleeper berth or just the sleeper.

Cabover: Refers to a cab over-the-engine truck, a classic type of design

Chicken lights: These are extra lights added to a truck for decoration. They often include colorful, flashing, or bright lights.

Chicken truck: A fancy truck, usually with extra chrome or bright light

Covered wagon: A rig covered in tarps or canvas. The term refers to a covered wagon that pioneers used to transport belongings.

Doubles: Refers to a rig pulling double trailers.

Fifth wheel: The coupling device that connects the trailer to the tractor. It's called a "fifth wheel" because it looks like a wheel with four spokes, but it's actually the fifth wheel on a trailer.

Fred: a nickname for a Freightliner truck, also called "Freddy."

Freight shaker: A Freightliner truck.

Glad hands: The connectors on the end of the air hoses that attach the trailer to the tractor.

Mud flaps: The flaps behind the rear wheels help prevent mud and debris from flying up onto other vehicles.

Pogo stick: The vertical bar that supports the air and electrical lines between the tractor and the trailer. It bounces up and down as the trailer moves.

Reefer: Refrigerated van trailer used for transporting perishable goods, such as food or pharmaceuticals.

Roller skate: A small, lightweight truck that's easy to maneuver on the road.

Rolling billboard: A tractor-trailer covered in advertisements, such as a bumper sticker.

Sled: Another way to refer to a flatbed trailer.

Skateboard: A flatbed trailer.

Throttle jockey: A driver who tends to drive fast and aggressively.

Throwing iron: A truck with snow tire chains.

Wagon: A flatbed trailer, referring to when wagons were pulled by horses instead of trucks.

Wiggle wagon: A truck that is pulling double or triple trailers. The tractor-trailer combination has a lot of flex in the middle, causing it to "wiggle" as it goes down the road.

‍

Other Vehicles

Bedbugger: A household moving company.

Big Brown: A nickname for a UPS truck since their fleet is painted brown.

Dragon wagon: A tow truck.

Four-wheeler: A passenger vehicle that has four wheels.

Land Yacht: Refers to buses or RVs.

Salt shaker: A vehicle that spreads salt or sand on icy roads to improve traction.

Snatcher: A tow truck with a boom arm that can be used to snatch up vehicles.

Wrecker: Refers to a tow truck, as the main purpose is to "wreck" or pick up damaged vehicles.

Driving Terminology

All locked up: A weight station is closed

Backhaul: A load that a driver picks up on the way back from a delivery. It helps to maximize the efficiency of the trip and increase profits.

Big road: A major multi-lane highway or interstate

Big word: Refers to when a weigh station is closed.

Bumper sticker: A vehicle that is tailgating.

Cash register: A toll booth.

Chicken coop: A weigh station or inspection facility where trucks are checked for compliance with safety and weight regulations. It is run by highway patrol.

Comedian: The median strip between opposite lanes of the highway

Convoy: A group of two or more trucks traveling together, often for safety or camaraderie.

Deadhead: A trip where the driver has an empty trailer attached. It can be a costly trip since there is no revenue earned from the transport.

Double nickel: This means 55 miles per hour.

Drop and hook: A method of unloading and reloading cargo where the driver simply drops the trailer at the destination and picks up a pre-loaded one.

Granny lane: Refers to the far right lane of a highway or interstate, usually reserved as the slower lane.

Go-go juice: diesel fuel

Gross: Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).

Hammer lane: The left lane of the highway, often reserved for passing. It's named after the foot pedal that makes the truck go faster, known as the "hammer."

Home 20: A driver's home location.

Parking lot: A rest area or truck stop where drivers can park their trucks overnight to take a break or rest.

Port of entry: A weigh station located at a state border or near an international border.

Pit stop: A weight station. Like a racecar driver, a trucker might think of it as a necessary but unwelcome pause in their journey.

Smoking the brakes: Trailer brakes are smoking from overuse.

Weigh station hotel: A playful term for a weigh station because drivers often spend a lot of time waiting in line to get weighed.

Yard: A trucking company's facility where trucks are parked, loaded, and unloaded. It's also known as a terminal.

Yardstick: This refers to a mile marker on the highway.

‍

Safety and Law Enforcement

Alligator: A blown tire that is lying on the road, also known as a "gator."

Bear: A law enforcement officer, thought to originate from the old CB radio days when the police officers used to wear hats that looked like bear ears.

Bear bite: a speeding ticket from the highway patrol.

Bear in the air: Refers to law enforcement in a helicopter, also known as a "spy in the sky."

Bird dog: A radar gun. This term comes from the fact that a radar gun "hunts" for speeding vehicles like a bird dog hunts for birds.

Black eye: A broken headlight.

Brake check: A traffic tie-up ahead

Bubble gum machine: A playful term for a patrol car with flashing lights, which are said to resemble gumballs.

County mounty: Often a sheriff's deputy, believed to have originated from the fact that many rural sheriffs ride horses, so they're often referred to as "mounties."

Diesel cop: A commercial vehicle enforcement officer.

Disco lights: A term to describe the flashing of a patrol car's lights.

Driving award: A speeding ticket.

Greasy: An icy or slippery road.

Kojak with a Kodak: A police officer who is using a radar gun to catch a speeding vehicle. It refers to the TV character Kojak, who was often seen taking pictures with his camera.

Lane hog: A driver who stays in the passing lane, or the far left lane, and doesn't move over to let others pass.

On the bubble: When a driver is getting close to their maximum allowed driving hours and needs to find a safe place to pull over and rest.

Plain wrapper: An unmarked law enforcement vehicle

Smokey: A law enforcement officer, usually a state trooper. It is believed to have originated from the movie "Smokey and the Bandit," where the main character was a trucker being chased by a state trooper.

Smokey Detector: A radar gun used by a law enforcement officer

Smokey in the bush: Refers to a law enforcement officer hiding on the side of the road.

Miscellaneous Trucker Slang

Breaker, breaker: A way to initiate a conversation on the CB radio, often used as a playful greeting, similar to "hello" or "good morning."

Breaker 1-9: A request to start a conversation on channel 19, which is the most commonly used channel among truckers.

Breaking up: Refers to a weak radio signal that causes a communication breakdown.

Come back: A request for a response from another driver on the CB radio. It's similar to saying "Do you copy?" or "Can you hear me?"

Handle: A nickname or CB radio name that a driver goes by. It's a personalized identifier that helps drivers communicate with each other on the road.

Lot lizard: A derogatory term for a prostitute who frequents truck stops.

Negatory: This means "no" or "negative".

Pay the water bill: A phrase used to indicate that it's time to take a bathroom break.

Ratchet jaw: A driver who talks excessively on the CB radio, often disrupting other drivers' conversations.

Reading the mail: Listening in on conversations between other truckers on the CB radio.

Seat cover: A passenger in a truck, often a spouse or friend of the driver.

Steering wheel holder: A derogatory term for a driver who is lazy or tired and has their hands off the steering wheel.

Sesame Street channel: the CB radio channel 19, which is the most commonly used channel among truckers. It's the go-to channel to communicate with each other and share information about road conditions, traffic, and any potential hazards.

‍

History of Trucker Language

Trucker lingo dates back to the 1970s. It all started with the introduction of CB radios in trucks, which allowed drivers to communicate with each other while on the road. However, with so many drivers on the same frequency, it became challenging to understand each other.

As a result, truckers developed a unique language of their own, filled with slang, abbreviations, and creative expressions. The language was a way to convey information quickly and efficiently, allowing truckers to stay safe and connected on the road.

Over time, the language has grown and evolved to adapt to the changing needs of the trucking industry, but it remains an essential part of trucker culture to this day.

Regional Variations

One interesting aspect of trucker slang is the regional variations that exist throughout the United States. Just like any language, different regions have their own unique slang words and expressions that are specific to that area.

For example, in the southern United States, you might hear truckers use the term "good buddy" as a way to address each other, while in the Midwest, they might use the phrase "10-4" instead. Similarly, on the West Coast, truckers might refer to a rest area as a "trucker's stop," while on the East Coast, they would say "truck terminal."

Certain regions have trucker slang terms that are specific to their local geography, such as "mountain pass" in the West or "flatlands" in the Midwest. These regional variations add to the richness and diversity of the trucker culture and make it even more fascinating for those who are interested in the world of trucking.

One trucking company can have strict regulations and safety protocols, while another can be laid-back and allow their drivers more freedom on the road. The company culture can greatly influence the language and slang used by drivers.

Trucker Language and Law Enforcement

Trucker slang is not only used among truckers but also among law enforcement officers. The reason for this is that CB radios have become a vital tool for communication between truckers and law enforcement officials who patrol the highways.

For example, if a police officer needs to pull over a trucker for a routine inspection, they might say, "Driver, we got a chicken coop for you." This means that they want to inspect the truck's cargo and make sure that everything is in order. If a trucker spots any potential hazards or criminal activities, they use their CB radios to alert law enforcement and other truckers on the road.

The use of trucker slang among law enforcement officials is not only practical, but it also adds to the sense of camaraderie between truckers and police officers on the road. It's a way for them to connect and work together to keep the highways safe for everyone.

‍

The Evolution of Trucker Lingo

As technology advances, the way truckers communicate has evolved as well. While CB radios are still popular among truckers, many now use smartphones and messaging apps to stay connected. As a result, new slang terms and abbreviations have emerged, such as "LOL" and "OMG."

With the rise of social media, truckers are now able to connect on a global scale, sharing information and experiences in real time. As trucking companies continue to embrace technology and automation, it will be interesting to see how trucker slang continues to evolve in the years to come. But one thing is for sure, the camaraderie and sense of community among truckers will always remain strong, no matter how they communicate.

Rookie Tips

If you're planning to communicate with truckers, there are a few tips you might find helpful.

1. First and foremost, keep it simple and straightforward. Trucker slang is all about efficiency, so don't waste time with long, drawn-out sentences and fancy words. Stick to the basics and get your message across as quickly and clearly as possible.
2. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification. If you're ever unsure about what someone is saying, don't be afraid to ask them. Truckers appreciate people who are willing to learn and they'll be more than happy to provide you with an explanation.
3. Be respectful and courteous. Remember that truck drivers are dealing with a lot of stress and pressure on the road, so a friendly tone can go a long way.
4. Follow the CB radio channel etiquette. Don't interrupt someone else's conversation and always wait for a pause before chiming in.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it - a crash course in the fascinating language of the open road. While it may seem like gibberish to the uninitiated, trucker slang is a vital part of the trucking industry that helps drivers stay safe and connected on the road.

Whether you're a seasoned trucker or just someone curious about the world of trucking, understanding the language is sure to make your next road trip a little more interesting! So next time you're cruising down the highway, keep an ear out for some of these colorful expressions and see if you can decode the secret language of the trucking community. Happy truckin'!

‍