Trucker Slang! The Great American Anti-Language
Posted on 07 January 2016
As CB radios have slowly disappeared from the cabs of trucks, supplanted by more modern radio equipment and cell phones, trucker slang has slowly faded from the popular consciousness. Since we are now one year further from the heyday of CB radios and the golden age of truckin' I feel like it is appropriate to tip the old cowboy hat to that language that is slowly disappearing on American roadways with a roundup of a few of our favorite terms.
Happy happy - happy new year
Gator - A piece of tire lying on road left from a blowout creating a hazard. A baby gator refers to a smaller piece of tire.
Back door - something behind you
Bear - law enforcement officer
Bear bait - A speeding car that can be followed to protect the vehicles behind it, the first vehicle in a line being the most likely to get a speeding ticket.
Bear in the air - law enforcement aircraft
Billy Bigrigger - A trucker that brags about his rig or his abilities. Also known as a Supertrucker.
Black eye - headlight out
Bumpersticker - tailgating car
Chicken lights - accessory lights on a truck
Comedian - median strip in highway
Come-a-part - cummins brand engine
Commercial company - a prostitute
Double nickel - 55 miles per hour
Dragon wagon - tow truck
Feeding the bears - to pay a ticket
42 - yes or ok
Georgia overdrive - to put truck in neutral going down hill to pickup speed (generally considered dangerous)
Greasy - icy
Hammer down - step on it
Hammer lane - passing lane
Having shutter trouble - having a hard time staying awake
Mama bear - female law enforcement
Motion lotion - diesel fuel
Negatory - no
Plain wrapper - unmarked police car
Ratchet jaw - A driver who talks a lot drowning out others on the CB channel
Reading the mail - Not talking, just listening to the CB radio
Roller skate - small car
Seat cover - car driver
Stagecoach - tour bus
Thermos - tanker truck
West coast turnarounds - uppers, speed, or benzedrine
Terms via Trucker Country.