CB Slang

CB slang, a form of lingo used among citizens’ band radio users, emerged in the United States during the mid-20th century, reaching its peak popularity in the 1970s. This slang was a unique blend of creativity and necessity, designed to convey information quickly and efficiently over radio waves.

Truckers have developed a unique lingo or jargon over the years, especially for use on CB (Citizens Band) radio, to communicate efficiently and effectively over the airwaves. Here’s a list of some of the most common and colorful CB slang and terms you might hear:

1. 10-4: Affirmative or acknowledgment.
2. 10-20: Location (“What’s your 20?”).
3. Back door: Behind you, or the end of a convoy.
4. Bear: A law enforcement officer, usually state troopers or highway patrol.
5. Bear in the air: Police aircraft monitoring traffic.
6. Bear bait: A speeding vehicle that attracts police attention, protecting those behind it from speed traps.
7. Bobtail: Driving a tractor without a trailer.
8. Breaker 1-9: A call for any listener on channel 19, the most widely used among truckers.
9. Bumper sticker: A vehicle that’s too close to your rear.
10. Cash register: A toll booth.
11. Chicken coop: Weigh station.
12. Chicken lights: Extra lights on a truck.
13. Convoy: A group of trucks traveling together.
14. Double nickel: 55 mph speed limit.
15. Dragon wagon: Tow truck.
16. Four-wheeler: Any non-commercial vehicle.
17. Full-grown bear: State trooper.
18. Good buddy: Originally meant friend, but now often used sarcastically or derogatorily.
19. Hammer down: Accelerate, go faster.
20. Handle: CB radio nickname.
21. Kojak with a Kodak: Police officer with a radar gun.
22. Lot lizard: Person who frequents truck stops, often offering companionship for money.
23. Mama bear: Female law enforcement officer.
24. Meat wagon: Ambulance.
25. Mud duck: Weak radio signal.
26. Paying the water bill: Stopping to use the bathroom.
27. Reefer: Refrigerated trailer.
28. Rolling roadblock: Slow-moving vehicles blocking all lanes.
29. Rubberneck: Slow down due to accident gawking.
30. Shiny side up: Wishing a trucker to stay upright and not flip.
31. Skateboard: Flatbed trailer.
32. Smokey: Law enforcement officer.
33. Smokey report: Update on police locations.
34. Snakes in the grass: Hidden police vehicles.
35. Taking pictures: Police with radar guns.
36. Thermos bottle: Tanker trailer.
37. Triple digits: Over 100 mph.
38. Two-wheeler: Motorcycle.
39. Wally world: Walmart, or a reference to its large parking lots where trucks can park.
40. Yardstick: Mile marker on the highway.

The Origins (1940s-1960s)

CB radio, short for “citizens’ band radio,” was established in the 1940s by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a system for short-distance, personal communication. Initially intended for use by truckers, hobbyists, and small businesses, CB radios became more widely available and affordable over the decades.

**Early Beginnings:**
– CB radios were used by hobbyists and those in professions like trucking and construction.
– As more people started using CB radios, the need for a standardized language became apparent to improve communication clarity.

Boom of the 1970s

The 1970s saw the CB radio becoming a cultural phenomenon in the United States, spurred by the oil crisis, which led to nationwide speed limit reductions. Truckers needed a means to communicate regarding speed traps, road conditions, and other travel-related information. The CB radio was ideal for this, and a unique slang developed to enhance communication.

**Key Developments in the 1970s:**
– **Trucker Influence:** As the primary users, truckers developed and popularized much of the slang.
– **Media Influence:** Films like “Smokey and the Bandit” and the TV show “Movin’ On” romanticized truck drivers and popularized CB culture and its slang.
– **Pop Culture:** Songs like C.W. McCall’s “Convoy” (1975) further immortalized CB lingo in public consciousness.

**Common Slang Terms Developed:**
– **”Breaker, Breaker”**: Used to initiate conversation on an open channel.
– **”10-4″**: Acknowledgement or affirmation, meaning “Okay” or “Understood.”
– **”Bear”**: A police officer (specifically a highway patrol officer).
– **”Smokey”**: Derived from “Smokey Bear,” another term for police officers.
– **”Rubber Duck”**: The leader of a convoy of vehicles.

Evolution and Impact (1980s-present)

As the CB radio craze waned in the 1980s due to advancements in communication technology like cell phones, CB slang evolved. While not as prevalent in mainstream use, the jargon continued to thrive among truckers and CB enthusiasts.

**Post-Peak Characteristics:**
– **Specialization:** Language became more specialized, focusing on specific needs and communities.
– **Resurgence**: In certain sectors like off-roading and farming, CB radios and their slang remained in use.

**Examples of Continued Use:**
– **”Hammer Down”**: To accelerate, often used in trucking.
– **”Home 20″**: Refers to one’s home or current location.

Cultural Preservation

Despite technological advances, CB radio slang is preserved in various subcultures and through media representations. It remains a nostalgic element for many and a form of cultural history reflecting a particular era in American transportation.

**Legacy:**
– **Nostalgia:** For those who lived through the 1970s, CB radio slang is a reminder of a unique time in communication history.
– **Educational:** Some museums and radio organizations document and teach the history and impact of CB radio slang.
– **Media:** Occasional references in movies, TV shows, and music keep the spirit of CB radio and its lingo alive.

In essence, CB radio slang is a testament to the creativity and adaptability of individuals who found innovative ways to communicate within the constraints of their technology, leaving a lasting impact that extends beyond the heyday of CB radios.

This lingo helps truckers to quickly communicate important information, warnings, and sometimes just to chat and keep each other company during long hauls. Keep in mind, this list isn’t exhaustive, and regional variations might exist!