Truckers commonly call police "bears," stemming from the Smokey Bear campaign hat worn by State Troopers, with variations like "Smokey" or "Full-Grown Bear" for State Police, "County Mountie" for local sheriffs, and "City Kitty" for city cops, also using terms like "Bear in the Air" (helicopter) or "Bear Trap" (speed trap) for police activity.
Police forces around the world are called by many different slang nicknames, some affectionate, and some less-so. In the US it's not uncommon to hear police called “the fuzz,” “5-0,” “the heat,” or “boys in blue,” among many other names.
Truck driver lingo examples
Alligator – A piece of blown tire on the road. Backslide – Return trip. Big slab/road - Interstate or large highway. Black eye – A truck with a headlight out. Bobtail – Driving a tractor only.
The phrase "10-4 rubber ducky" is a combination of two references: * 10-4: This is a common CB radio code meaning "acknowledged" or "understood." It was popularized by the song "Convoy" by C.W. McCall. * Rubber ducky: This is a term used in trucker slang to refer to a rookie driver.
Pig Pen: A dirty truck. Plain Wrapper: Unmarked police car. Polar Bear: A white unmarked police car.
CB 10 Codes
42. Yes, or OK. Four-Letter Word. Nobody wants to stop at the weigh station- that is why "OPEN" is considered a four-letter word in the trucking industry.
You put a group of men together for an extended period of time, and it's not hard to imagine the potential topics of conversation. In fact, Urban Dictionary even has a definition for “Trucker Mouth,” which is defined as “A person who uses foul language.”
Simply put, it means “I understand”. This is a big deal in the trucking community and it's part of the foundation of communication among truckers on the road. Regardless of dialect or background truckers all over the country and beyond know what it means.
Synonyms of 'police' in British English
"12" is slang for police, used to warn others of their presence, originating from the TV show Adam-12, where "1-Adam-12" was a patrol car, and possibly from police radio codes like "10-12" (stand by/civilians present). The term spread through hip-hop and is used to alert people that cops are near or approaching.
Common slang for police includes cops, coppers, fuzz, 5-0, bobby, pig (offensive), plod, and the boys in blue, with many regional and historical terms like Australia's "blue heeler," UK's "dibble," and older terms like "flatfoot" or "peeler" also used, reflecting diverse cultural contexts and attitudes towards law enforcement.
More CB Lingo & Trucker Talk – Phrases
Rubber Duck: A rubber duck is a trucker, often a rookie, who is still learning the ropes.
If you have a friend or family member who is a truck driver, a great way to thank them is by asking to do a video or phone call when they're on their break or completing their reset. Doing this is an easy way to make them feel appreciated after spending a day out on the road by themselves.
Trucker 10 Code
10-10: Transmission completed, standing by. 10-11: Talking too rapidly. 10-12: Visitors present. 10-13: Advise weather/road conditions.
But have you ever thought what it really means? The term has taken inspiration from CB radio slang, and it's just another way of saying “what's your location”? So, to all the truckers out there, what's your 20?
"10-1" is the go-to radio code for taking a bathroom break on a film set. It usually means a quick restroom trip (originally for "number one"), but on set, "10-1" politely refers to any short bathroom break. If you call "10-1" on the walkie, the crew knows you're stepping away for a moment.
Bear – A law enforcement officer, but usually a State Trooper or Highway Patrol. Choke and Puke – A truck stop/restaurant. Dragon Wagon – A tow truck. Evil Knievel – A police officer on a motorcycle.
Many agencies use the 10 code “10-67" to report a death. The code “10-66" also means “notify medical examiner.”
In the world of big rig truckers, Shaky Town refers to Los Angeles due to the earthquakes that make the buildings shake.