Sunday, August 3, 2014

CB Slang: Sociolinguistic study of modern nomads

Trucker CB Slang /Terminology
TerminologyMeaning
AffirmativeYes
All locked upThe weigh station is closed.
AnteaterKenworth T-600; this truck was so-named because of its sloped hood, and was one of the first trucks with an aerodynamic design. Also known as an aardvark.
AlligatorA piece of tire on the road, usually a recap from a blown tire, which can look like an alligator lying on the road. These alligators are hazards which are to be avoided, if possible. If you run over them, they can "bite you" -- bounce back up and do damage to hoses or belts, fuel crossover lines, or to the body of your tractor. They can also bounce up and go towards another vehicle, possibly causing an accident. A baby alligator is a small piece of tire, and alligator bait is several small tire pieces. Sometimes called just a "gator".
Back doorSomething behind you. "There's a bear at your back door".
Back it downSlow down.
Backed out of itNo longer able to maintain speed, necessitating a need to downshift. When a truck's climbing a steep incline, and for whatever reason, the driver has to let up off of the accelerator, he'll lose whatever momentum he had and have to downshift. "I'm backed out of it now, I'll have to get over into the slow lane."
Back rowThe last rows of parking in a truck stop, often a hangout for prostitutes (see "lot lizards").
BambiA deer, dead or alive
Base station or unitA powerful CB radio set in a stationary location.
BearA law enforcement officer at any level, but usually a State Trooper, Highway Patrol.
Bear baitA speeding vehicle, usually a four-wheeler, which can be used to protect the other speeding vehicles behind it.
Bear biteA speeding ticket.
Bear den or bear caveLaw enforcement headquarters,station.
Bear in the airA law enforcement aircraft which can be monitoring the traffic and speeds below.
Bear in the bushesLaw enforcement (at any level) is hiding somewhere, probably with a radar gun aimed at traffic.
Billy Big RiggerAnother term for "supertrucker"; one who brags about himself, or his big, fast, shiny truck.
Bingo cardsThese cards held stamps from each state a motor carrier would operate in; these cards are no longer used, and have been replaced by the Single State Registration System (SSRS).
BedbuggerCan refer to a household moving company or to the household mover himself.
Big RA Roadway truck.
Big roadUsually refers to the Interstate, sometimes any big highway.
Big truckRefers to an 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer. "Come on over, big truck".
Bird dogA radar detector.
Big wordClosed, when referring to weigh stations. There is often a big sign preceding the weigh station indicating whether the station is open or closed, in bright lights. From a distance, you can't tell what the word says, but you can usually tell whether it's a big word or small word. So, when you hear "the big word is out", you'll know that the weigh station is closed.
Black eyeA headlight out. "Driver going eastbound, you've got a black eye".
BobtailDriving the tractor only, without the trailer attached.
BoogieThe top gear (the highest gear) of the transmission.
BoulevardThe Interstate.
Brake checkThere is a traffic tie-up ahead, which will require immediate slowing down or stopping. "You've gotta brake check ahead of you, eastbound".
BreakIf the radio's busy, saying "break-19" is the proper way to gain access to the channel, and begin talking.
Breaking upYour signal is weak, or fading.
Brush your teeth and comb your hairShooting vehicles with a radar gun.
BubbaWhat you call another driver, often in a kidding way.
Bull dogA Mack truck.
Bull frogAn ABF truck.
Bull haulerA livestock hauler.
Bumper stickerA vehicle that's tailgating. Sometimes called a "hitchhiker ".
Bundled outLoaded heavy, or to maximum capacity.
Buster BrownA UPS truck or driver.
CabbageA steep mountain grade in Oregon.
CaboverAbbreviated term for Cab-Over-the Engine (COE) type of tractor.
Cash registerA tollbooth.
Checking ground pressureThe weigh station is open, and they're running trucks across the scales (see "running you across").
Chicken coopA weigh station, often called just a "coop".
Chicken lightsExtra lights a trucker has on his truck and trailer.
Chicken hauler or truckA big, fancy truck; a large, conventional tractor with a lot of lights and chrome. Also, one who hauls live chickens.
ComedianThe median strip in between opposite lanes of traffic.
ContainerRefers to an overseas container; intermodal transportation.
Come-a-part engineCummins engine.
Come backAn invitation for the other driver to talk. Sometimes used when you couldn't hear the last transmission, "comeback, I didn't hear you".
Come onTelling another driver that you hear him calling you, and to go ahead and talk. "Yeah driver, come on".
Comic bookThe log book.
Commercial companyA prostitute.
ConvoyA group of trucks traveling together.
CopyTransmission acknowledged, agreed with, or understood, as in "that's a copy, driver".
CornflakeRefers to a Consolidated Freightways truck.
County MountieCounty police, often a sheriff's deputy.
Covered wagonFlatbed type of trailer, with sidewalls, and a tarp.
CrackerheadA derogatory term; insult.
Crotch rocketA motorcycle built for speed; not a Harley-Davidson.
DeadheadPulling an empty trailer.
DestructionRoad construction.
Diesel carA semi- tractor.
Diesel copA DOT, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officer.
DonkeyBehind you. "A bear is on your donkey".
Do what?I didn't hear or understand you.
Double nickel55 mph.
DoublesRefers to a set of double trailers.
Drawing linesCompleting your log book
DriverWhat drivers call other drivers on the CB, especially if their CB handle is not known.
Driving awardA speeding ticket.
DownstrokeDriving downwards, downhill, on a decline.
Dragon wagonA tow truck.
DragonflyA truck with no power, especially going uphill.
Dry boxAn unrefrigerated, freight trailer. Also considered a dry van
18-wheelerAny tractor-trailer.
85th StreetInterstate 85.
Evil KnievelA law enforcement officer on a motorcycle.
EyeballTo see something.
Feeding the bearsPaying a ticket or citation.
FingerprintTo unload a trailer by yourself.
Flip-flopRefers to a u-turn, or a return trip.
FMAn AM-FM radio.
42Yes, or OK.
Four-letter wordOpen; referring to weigh stations being open or closed.
4-wheelerAny passenger vehicle; cars or pickups.
Freight shakerA Freightliner truck.
Front doorIn front of you.
Full-grown bearState Trooper, or Highway Patrol.
Garbage haulerA produce load, or produce haulers.
Gear JammerA driver who speeds up and slows down with great frequency.
General mess of crapA GMC truck
Georgia overdrivePutting the transmission into neutral on a downgrade, to go extremely fast. Definitely not recommended!
Go-go juiceDiesel fuel.
Good buddyThis used to be the thing to say: "10-4, good buddy". Not anymore, as this calling someone a homosexual.
Good neighborUsually used when you're showing appreciation to another driver, as in "thank you, good neighbor".
Got my nightgown onI'm in the sleeper, and ready to go to sleep.
Go to companyWhen you tell another driver from your company to go to the designated company CB channel. Drivers do this so that they can talk about company business or personal matters without monopolizing channel 19.
Go to the HarleyTurn your CB to channel 1.
Got your ears on?Are you listening
Gouge on itGo fast, put the throttle to the floor, step on it, etc.
Granny laneThe right, slower lane on a multi-lane highway, or on the Interstate.
GreasyIcy, or slippery.
Greasy side upA vehicle that's flipped over.
Green StampsMoney.
Grossed outYour gross vehicle weight is at maximum capacity; commonly 80,000 pounds.
Ground pressureThe weight of your truck, as in "the scale's testing your ground pressure".
Gumball machineThe lights on top of a patrol car.
Hammer downGo fast, step on it.
Hammer laneThe left, passing lane of traffic.
Hand, HanWhat a driver sometimes calls another driver. Stems from the term farmhand, and means helper, or fellow worker.
Handle (CB handle)The FCC encourages the use of CB handles. CB handles are nicknames which are used to identify the speaker, in place of on actual name. A driver often selects his own handle, one that he feels reflects his personality, or describes his way of driving.
Happy happyHappy new year; "Have a happy happy, driver".
Having "shutter trouble"Having trouble keeping awake.
Ho Chi Minh TrailRefers to California Highway 152, known for it's abundance of accidents.
HollerCall me on the radio, as in "give me a holler when you get back".
Home 20A driver's home location.
How 'boutWhen you're trying to contact other drivers, you can say "how 'bout you, eastbound?".
HoodA conventional tractor, as opposed to a cab-over.
Hundred dollar lane, high dollar laneIn certain heavily populated areas, trucks will be prohibited from driving in the far left lane, with a heavy fine for violators. This term refers to that prohibited lane.
JackpotSame as gumball machine, refers to a patrol car's lights.
Key downWhen you talk over somebody who's trying to transmit. A bigger, more powerful radio can easily drown out a lesser one.
Key upPushing the transmit button on the CB Mike. "Key up for about 20 minutes, and tell me how bad you are".
In my back pocketBehind you; a place you've passed.
In the big holeThe top gear of the transmission.
K-whopperA Kenworth tractor, or just KW.
Kojak with a KodakLaw enforcement using a radar gun.
Land lineA stationary telephone; not a cellular-phone.
Large carA conventional tractor, often with a big sleeper, lots of chrome and lights, etc.
Left CoastThe West Coast.
Local informationA driver asks for local information when he needs directions in area he's unfamiliar with.
Local-yokelA county, city, or small-town officer.
LollipopThe small reflector or marker poles on the sides of the highway.
Lot lizardA prostitute that solicits truck-to-truck in a truck stop or rest area.
LumperCasual labor that loads or unloads your trailer, often requiring payment in cash.
Male buffaloA male prostitute.
Mama-bearRefers to a female law enforcement officer.
Mash your motorGo fast, step on it. Same as gouge on it and hammer down.
Meat wagonAn ambulance.
Merry merryMerry Christmas.
Motion lotionDiesel fuel.
Moving onHeading down the road.
Mud duckA weak radio signal.
NegatoryNegative or no.
95th StreetInterstate 95.
On the sideOn standby.
Parking lotAn auto transporter, often used when the trailer is empty.
Pay the water billTaking a rest room break.
Pickle parkA rest area frequented by lot lizards (prostitutes).
PigtailThe electrical connection from the tractor to the trailer.
Plain wrapperAn unmarked law enforcement vehicle, usually said with color added as a description: "you've got a plain brown wrapper on your back door".
Plenty of protectionUsually means there's plenty of police in the area, but I've heard it used to tell drivers to go ahead and step on it because there's speeding four-wheelers ahead blocking or covering for them.
Pogo stickUsually a metal, flexible support located on the tractor catwalk, that holds up the connections to the trailer.
Power upGo faster, speed up.
PreeshayditThank you, I appreciate it.
PumpkinA Schneider truck, because of it's orange color.
RadioA CB radio.
Radio checkHow's my radio working, transmitting, getting out there.
RamboSomeone who talks really tough on the radio, especially when no one else knows where they are.
Ratchet jawSomeone who talks a lot on the radio, while keying-up the whole time and not letting anyone else get a chance to talk.
Reading the mailNot talking; just listening to the radio.
ReeferUsually refers to refrigerated van trailer, but sometimes just to the reefer unit itself.
Rest-a-ree-aAnother way to say rest area.
Road pizzaRoadkill on the side of the road.
Rockin' chairA truck that's in the middle of two other trucks.
RogerYes; affirmative.
Roger beepAn audible beep that sounds when a person has un-keyed the mike, and finished his transmission. Used on only a small percentage of radios, and not recommended.
Roller skateAny small car.
Rooster cruiserA big, fancy truck; a large, conventional tractor with a lot of lights and chrome.
Runnin'you acrossThe weigh station is open, and they're weighing trucks, probably in a quick fashion.
Salt shakerThe road maintenance vehicles that dumps salt or sand on the highways in the winter.
SandbaggingTo listen to the radio without talking; also "readin' the mail".
SandboxAn escape ramp, which sometimes uses sand to stop vehicles.
Schneider eggsThe orange cones in construction areas.
Seat coverSometimes used to describe drivers or passengers of four-wheelers.
Sesame StreetChannel 19 on the CB.
ShakyRefers to California in general, sometimes Los Angeles, and, occasionally, San Francisco.
Shiny side upYour vehicle hasn't flipped over after a rollover or accident. "Keep the shiny side up" means to have a safe trip.
Shooting you in the backYou're being shot with a radar gun as your vehicle passes a law enforcement vehicle.
Short shortA short amount of time.
ShutdownPut out of service by the DOT because of some violation.
Sleeper creeperA prostitute; same as a lot lizard.
SkateboardA flatbed, or flatbed trailer.
SkinsTires.
Smokin' scooterA law enforcement officer on a motorcycle.
Smokin' the brakesThe trailer brakes are literally smoking from overuse down a mountain grade.
Smokey or Smokey BearA law enforcement officer, usually highway patrol.
SplitA junction, where the road goes in separate directions.
Spy in the skyA law enforcement aircraft, same as a "bear in the air".
StagecoachA tour bus.
Stand on itStep on it, go faster.
SwingingCarrying a load of swinging meat.
Taking picturesLaw enforcement using a radar gun.
10-4OK, message received. Some drivers just say "10".
Thermos bottleA tanker trailer.
Through the woodsLeaving the Interstate to travel secondary roads.
Throwin' ironTo put on snow tire chains.
Too many eggs in the basketOverweight load or gross weight.
ToothpicksA load of lumber.
Travel agentThe dispatcher, or sometimes a broker.
Triple digitsOver 100 mph.
VWA Volvo-White tractor.
WagonSome drivers refer to their trailer as a wagon.
Walked on youDrowned out your transmission by keying up at the same time.
Wally worldWal-Mart (the store or the distribution center), or a Wal-Mart truck.
West Coast turnaroundsUppers; speed or benzedrine pills; the idea is that a driver can drive from the East Coast to the West Coast, and back again without having to sleep. Obviously illegal!!
Wiggle wagonsA set of double or triple trailers.
YardA company terminal, drop lot, etc.
YardstickA mile marker on the highway.



CB "10-Codes"
CodeTranslation
10-1Receiving poorly
10-2Receiving well
10-3Stop transmitting
10-4OK, message received
10-5Relay message
10-6Busy, standby
10-7Out of service, leaving air
10-8In service, subject to call
10-9Repeat message
10-11Talking too rapidly
10-12Visitors present
10-13Advise weather, road conditions
10-16Make pickup at...
10-17Urgent business
10-18Anything for us?
10-19Nothing for you, return to base
10-20My location is...
10-21Call by telephone
10-22Report in person to...
10-23Stand by
10-24Completed last assignment
10-25Can you contact
10-26Disregard last information
10-27I am moving to channel...
10-28Identify your station
10-29Time is up for contact
10-30Does not conform to FCC rules
10-32I will give you a radio check
10-33Emergency traffic
10-34Trouble at this station
10-35Confidential information
10-36The correct time is...
10-37Wrecker needed at...
10-38Ambulance needed at...
10-39Your message delivered
10-41Please tune to channel...
10-42Traffic accident at...
10-43Traffic tie up at...
10-44I have a message for you
10-45All units within range please report
10-50Break channel
10-60What is next message number?
10-62Unable to copy, use phone
10-63Net directed to...
10-64Net clear
10-65Awaiting your next message, or assignment
10-67All units comply
10-70Fire at...
10-71Proceed with transmission in sequence
10-73Speed trap at...
10-75You are causing interference
10-77Negative contact
10-81Reserve hotel room for...
10-84My telephone number is...
10-85My address is...
10-91Talk closer to mike
10-93Check my frequency on this channel
10-94Please give me a long count
10-99Mission completed, all units secured
10-100Rest stop
10-200Police needed at...




CB Slang for Popular Cities
TerminologyU.S. City
The Big AAtlanta, Georgia
Air CapitalWichita, Kansas
ArmadilloAmarillo, Texas
The AlamoSan Antonio, Texas
The AstrodomeHouston, Texas
The AppleNew York City
Bean TownBoston, Mass.
Beer CityMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Big DDallas, Texas
Big OOmaha, Nebraska
Bull CityDurham, North Carolina
BikiniMiami, Florida
Bright LightsKansas City, Missouri
Capital CityRaleigh, North Carolina
CB TownCouncil Bluffs, Iowa
Cigar CityTampa, Florida
Circle CityIndianapolis, Indiana
The CitiesMinneapolis and St. Paul, Mn
Cow TownCalgary, Alberta
The DirtyCleveland, Ohio
The Flag or FlagpoleFlagstaff, Arizona
PhillyPhiladelphia, Pa
The GatewaySt. Louis, Missouri
Gold CityGoldsboro, North Carolina
GuitarNashville, Tennessee
Hog TownToronto, Ontario
HotlantaAtlanta, Georgia
The IrishSouth Bend, Indiana
Lost WagesLas Vegas, Nevada
Mardi GrasNew Orleans, Louisiana
Mile HighDenver, Colorado
Motor CityDetroit, Michigan
Music CityNashville, Tennessee
The NickelBuffalo, New York
Okie CityOklahoma City, Oklahoma
The PegWinnipeg, Manitoba
Queen CityCharlotte, North Carolina
The RubberAkron, Ohio
Sack of tomatoesSacramento, California
Shaky CityLos Angeles, California
Steel City or TownPittsburgh, Pa
The SwampMontreal, Quebec
Windy CityChicago, Illinois
Boat hauling companies:http://www.yachtworld.com/byp/categories/TransportationShippingDeliveries/BoatTransporting_TX.html.en

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