Breaker 1-9, this is Hot Wheels, you got your ears on, Snowman? Over.
10-4, Hot Wheels, this is Snowman. I’m reading you loud and clear. What’s your 20? Over.
I’m eastbound on I-40, just past the chicken coop at mile marker 150. Got a smokey on my tail. What’s the bear report up ahead? Over.
Roger that, Hot Wheels. I’m westbound on the same stretch, and it’s clean and green till mile marker 180. Keep an eye out for a Kojak with a Kodak around the 200. Over.
To most people, this conversation might sound like gibberish. But to a seasoned truck driver, it’s just another day on the road, chatting in CB code or “trucker lingo.”
As many drivers will tell you, truckers have cultivated a unique culture and language over the years, full of expressions and code words just like these. This lingo has evolved from a mix of real citizens band (CB) radio codes, phrases from popular movies like Smokey and the Bandit, and other creative jargon picked up along the way.
Keep reading to find out our guide to truck driver lingo, and you’ll be fluent in no time.
Ways to Describe Law Enforcement
Popularized during the golden age of CB radio trucking movies that appeared throughout the 70’s and 80’s, some of the best-known trucker lingo involves law enforcement. Born out of the trucking “outlaw” mindset, now these phrases can be used to give fellow drivers safety advice or just as a humorous description while on the road.
- Bear: A law enforcement officer, but usually a State Trooper or Highway Patrol.
- Bear Cave: A police station or speed checkpoint.
- Bear in the Air: A police helicopter monitoring speed
- County Mountie: A county police officer or sheriff’s deputy.
- Eaten by the Bear: Getting a ticket.
- Evil Knievel: A police officer on a motorcycle.
- Local-Yokel: A city police officer.
- Smokey: Police officer.
- Smokey Bear: Refers to any highway patrol officer.
Names for Types of Vehicles
With truck drivers responsible for operating such a wide range of vehicles, it’s no surprise that countless names have popped up over the years to describe different types of trucks and machinery.
- Belly Dump: A type of trailer that dumps its load from the bottom.
- Bobtail: A truck driving without a trailer.
- Day Cab: A truck without a sleeper berth.
- Draggin’ Wagon: A tow truck.
- Meat Wagon: An ambulance.
- Pancake: A flatbed trailer.
- Reefer: A refrigerated van trailer.
- Skateboard: A straight, flatbed trailer.
- Salt Shaker: A snowplow.
- Thermos Bottle: This means a tanker truck, often used to transport liquids.
- Wiggle Wagon: A truck with multiple trailers.
Road Conditions and Advice
Although CB radio is no longer used as frequently as it used to be, trucker lingo can still be useful for warning other drivers of poor driving conditions or to give safety advice.
- Alligator: A piece of tire on the road, usually from a blown tire.
- Chicken Coop: A scale house or weigh station where trucks are weighed.
- Choke and Puke: A roadside diner or truck stop restaurant.
- Greasy: Icy or slippery road conditions.
- Hammer down: This means to go fast, or to hit the gas.
- Kick It Up: Speed up, hit the gas.
- Back it Down: This means slow down, often because of traffic or a hazard ahead.
- Skinny: Information or news
Assorted Trucking Lingo
When it comes to CB lingo, sometimes it seems like there’s a word for everything. These phrases can be used in a variety of settings, and are sure to make any truck driver seem like a pro.
- Deadhead: The act of driving a truck with an empty trailer, usually after delivering a load.
- Featherfoot: A driver who’s light on the gas pedal.
- Handle: A trucker’s CB radio nickname (For example: Rubber Duck, Snowman.)
- Hot Load: An urgent delivery.
- Keep the Shiny Side Up: Have a safe trip!
- Negatory: Negative, or no.
- Ten-4 or 10-4: These mean ‘okay’.
- Road Pizza: Roadkill.
Are we missing any of your favorite words or phrases? What other parts of trucker culture and lifestyle should we cover? Connect with us on social media and let us know your thoughts.
