CB radios are widely used in American society, especially in the trucking sector. Even though technology has advanced over time, certain CB radio jargon has remained constant. One such expression is “10-100,” which is frequently used to denote the necessity of a bathroom break. But what does 10-100 actually signify, and where did it come from?
The “10” codes are a shorthand for specific messages in the world of CB radio. The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) created these codes in the 1930s to standardize police officer communication. Other organizations, such as CB radio users, adopted the codes over time.
The 10-100 code is used to signal the need for a bathroom break in this scenario. This is probably due to the code’s resemblance to the phrase “I gotta go,” with the “1” standing in for the “I” and the “0” for the “O”. In addition, 10-4 (“message received”), 10-20 (“location”), and 10-33 (“emergency”) are often used codes.
The television show The Dukes of Hazzard featured a 1969 Dodge Charger with a CB radio that was dubbed the General Lee, which is considered one of the most well-known uses of CB radio in popular culture. The show’s heroes, Bo and Luke Duke, were behind the wheel of the automobile, which had a distinctive horn that sounded the opening 12 notes of the song “Dixie.” The CB radio on the General Lee served as a crucial plot device in numerous episodes, enabling the protagonists to communicate with one another while traveling.
Golfer Bubba Watson currently owns the original General Lee, which he paid $110,000 for at auction in 2012. The vehicle has been returned to its original state and features its recognizable paint job and CB radio.
On CB radio, the term “smokey,” which is frequently used to describe police officers, is believed to have come from the U.S. Forest Service’s adoption of the “Smokey Bear” mascot. The 1940s saw the adoption of the mascot, who frequently appears with a shovel and wears a ranger hat, to encourage the avoidance of forest fires. Over time, park rangers and later police officers began to be referred to as “Smokey” in slang.
Finally, CB radio slang has been around for a long time and is still a significant aspect of trucker culture. While some codes, like 10-100, could appear mysterious to outsiders, they are a crucial component of inter-CB radio user communication. The General Lee and its CB radio will always have a special place in the hearts of The Dukes of Hazzard fans.