Driver 1: “Breaker. MacTruck drive here solo doing a radio check. 10-4”

Driver 2: “VinDiesel can hear you coming up in a loud and proud MacTruck.”

Driver 1: “I’m in granny lane doing a double penny. 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 that is predominantly used in truck driving circles.

Trucker lingo is basically your usual CB (Citizens Band) radio lingo. Truckers generally use CB Radio to communicate with each other and CB lingo 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 on major TV shows. Trucking jargon is still used today and, as with any language (formal or otherwise), it has evolved to include words and terminology that are more appropriate for today’s society.

Truck driving lingo is very colorful and entertaining to listen to. It’s fairly easy to learn but unfortunately, unlike formal languages, there are no truck driving slang classes that are open for enrollment. Truck driving schools do not offer this as a separate course, nor are there training manuals, books, and audiotapes 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 figure 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 truckers generally discourage this. Learn “10 codes” such as 10-4 (received/accept/copy message), 10-20 (your location), 10-9 (repeat) and others. The 10 codes used by police and fire are the same as those used by truckers. Although no formal books on trucker slang have been printed, there are websites that list commonly used trucker slang and what it means.

Do it slowly and when interrupting, it’s generally polite to say “Breaker, Green Apple” so that those on the same CB channel realize there’s a rookie on 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 presents himself on 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 the MacTruck CB signal is strong (comes in loud and proud). MacTruck then says that he is driving in the slow lane (Grandma’s lane), going 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).