Driver 1: “Breaker. MacTruck drive here just doing a radio check. 10-4”
Driver 2: “VinDiesel can hear you coming in a MacTruck loud and proud.”
Driver 1: “I’m in grandma’s lane doing a double dime. What’s your 10-20?”
Driver 2: “Driving behind a parking lot at The Dome.”
Driver 1: “Copy that. See you in the flip flop. Over and out.”
Was it a real conversation? Of course. That’s the verbal exchange truckers have while on the road. They are using ‘trucker slang’, a type of language predominantly used in truck driving circles.
Trucker slang is basically the usual CB (Citizens Band) radio slang. Truckers generally use CB Radio to communicate with each other and CB slang was picked up. CB/Truck slang became popular in the 1970s because it was featured and glamorized in several big-screen movies like “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Black Dog,” as well as major television shows. Trucking lingo is still in use today and, as with any language (formal or not), has evolved to include words and terminologies that are more appropriate for today’s society.
Truck driving lingo is very colorful and fun to listen to. It’s fairly easy to learn but unfortunately, unlike formal languages, there are no truck driving lingo classes that are open for enrollment. Truck driving schools do not offer this as a separate course, nor are there training manuals, books, and audio tapes available to use as a learning resource.
The best way to learn trucker lingo is to immerse yourself in the language. Tune in to the CB radio airwaves and listen. Try to find out the meaning behind the words before asking questions. If consultation is necessary, always be courteous when interrupting. Profanity and other vulgar CB terms should be avoided, as this is generally discouraged by truckers. Learn the “10 codes” such as 10-4 (Message Received/Accept/Copy), 10-20 (Your Location), 10-9 (Repeat), and others. The 10 codes used by police and firefighters are the same ones used by truckers. Although no formal books on trucker slang have been printed, there are websites that list commonly used trucker slang and its meaning.
Take it slow and when you interrupt, it’s usually polite to say “Breaker, Green Apple” so that those on the same CB channel realize a beginner is in the air. As with anything, the key to getting good at trucking lingo is to keep practicing.
So what was that exchange about? Basically, Driver 1, (MacTruck) announces his presence and introduces himself in a channel (Breaker. MacTruck handle). He asks the channel if their radio is working (doing a radio check). Driver 2 (VinDiesel) responds by identifying himself and confirms that MacTruck’s CB signal is strong (he walks in loud and proud). MacTruck then says that he is driving in the slow lane (granny lane), 55 miles per hour (double nickel) and asks for the location of VinDiesel (10-20). VinDiesel then says that he is driving behind another truck carrying cars (parking lot) in Houston, Texas The Dome). MacTruck acknowledges and will only see VinDiesel on his return trip (see you in the flip flop).