Driven Women

Trucker lingo

GG—I’m thinking of joining my husband as a truck driver, but what scares me most is that I don’t speak trucker talk! The other day I heard them talking about bears and lot lizards and expected to see a bear in the middle of the road, and lizards covering the rest area. Then my husband said something about a 10-100 and he went from 60 mph to 75 mph to get to the next truck stop. The latest one that threw me was “good buddy.”

I’m afraid to ask anyone, including my husband, what these phrases mean. Can you help me? Is there a trucker dictionary?

Thanks,

Kerry S., California

Kerry,

Here is a Web link to a fairly comprehensive list of trucker terms: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/1608/page2.htm. Two of the phrases you mentioned aren’t listed, so I’ll enlighten you.

• 10-100, which I haven’t heard in ages, means it’s time to find the facilities (restroom). Your hubby had to go.

• Lot lizards are prostitutes. Go to a truck stop and ask the clerk for a sticker that indicates “no lot lizards.” Give this sticker to your husband and tell him I sent you.

I’m concerned about your discomfort in asking your husband what these terms mean, not your lack of knowledge about them. Honest, direct, non-critical communication is the only way two people can survive in tight quarters for long periods of time.

Unless your ability to communicate with your husband improves, I do NOT recommend that you join him in the truck. Check your motives—and his—before signing up for classes.

Good luck!

GG

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