These slang terms will have you speaking like a trucker in no time. mladenbalinovac/iStock via Getty Images
There’s a lot the average driver doesn’t know about the trucks they pass on the highway. For instance, the spikes on truck wheels are often made of plastic, and the word semi doesn’t indicate half a vehicle. But one of the most inscrutable aspects of big rig culture is trucker slang.
If you’ve ever eavesdropped on a CB radio frequency, you know that truck drivers communicate in their own language. Using special lingo, truckers discuss everything from hazards on the road to the best spots for coffee. Even if you only drive vehicles with four wheels, you can still have fun using these pieces of truck driver slang on your next road trip.
1. All locked up
A weigh station is closed.
2. Alligator
A piece of tire on the road, usually from a tire blowout.
3. Anteater
A Kenworth T-600 truck.
4. Back door
There’s something behind a driver.
5. Bambi
A deer in or near the road.
6. Bear
Police, including state troopers and highway patrol.
7. Bear bite
A speeding ticket.
8. Bear in the bushes
A police officer hidden from view, usually with a radar gun waiting for speeders.
9. Big road
An interstate or any large highway.
10. Black eye
A headlight that’s out.
11. Bobtail
A tractor without the trailer attached to it.
12. Bullfrog
A Mack truck.
13. Bumper sticker
A tailgating vehicle.
14. Buster brown
A UPS truck.
15. Cash register
A tollbooth.
15. Chicken coop
A weigh station.
16. Comedian
The median strip dividing opposite lanes of traffic on a highway.
17. Convoy
Multiple trucks traveling as a group.
18. Double nickel
Driving at 55 mph, which is thought to be the most efficient speed for highway driving.
19. Evil Knievel
A police officer riding a motorcycle.
20. Front door
There’s something in front of the driver.
21. Got your ears on?
Are you listening?
22. Go-go juice
Diesel fuel.
23. Hundred mile coffee
Very strong coffee.
24. Pay the water bill
Stop for a bathroom break.
25. Reading the mail
Listening to CB radio without talking on it.
26. Road pizza
Roadkill.
27. Sesame Street
Channel 19 on CB radio (because everyone lives there).
28. Wally World
Wal-Mart. Can be in reference to stores, distribution centers, or Wal-Mart trucks.
29. 4-wheeler
Passenger vehicles, including cars and pickup trucks.
30. 10-4
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