A CB Radio Culture from the 1970s: 'Cledus's C.B. Dictionary'

The 1970s saw the rise of a unique subculture defined by C.B. (Citizens' Band) radio. Long-distance truckers used this technology to communicate and navigate the roadways. One anecdote often cited is the novelty hit 'Cledus's C.B. Dictionary,' which provides an insight into the slang and accents of the era.

The Rise of C.B. Radio

C.B. radio became a significant phenomenon in the late 1970s, especially in the United States. It was widely adopted by long-distance truckers, who used it to share crucial information, such as road hazards, police speed traps, and weather conditions. Truckers also relied on C.B. radio to maintain company during long, solitary drives.

Unique Slang and Terminology

Truckers had a unique language and culture of their own, with a variety of terms and phrases. For example:

Bears or Smokey referred to police officers enforcing the national 55 mph speed limit. They used various terms to describe the police, such as city kitties, local yokels, county mounties, and full-grown bears (state troopers). Jimmies were GMC trucks, Freightshakers were Freightliner trucks, and Bulldogs were Mack trucks. Truckers often drove reefers (refrigerated trucks) or thermos bottles (tanker trucks) and performed dangerous tasks with suicide jockeys (drivers of hazardous materials).

Truckers developed specific phrases for these terms, such as 'put the hammer down' for accelerating and 'suicide jockeys' for hazardous materials drivers.

CB Radio in Popular Culture

The popularity of C.B. radio was reflected in various forms of media. Movies like Smokey and the Bandit and Limited Edition featured C.B. radio as a key element in their plots. Songs like Convoy by C.W. McCall and The White Knight by Cledus Maggard captured the essence of the culture and the slang.

Cledus Maggard's Contributions

Musician Cledus Maggard starred in several albums including 'The White Knight' and 'Cledus's C.B. Dictionary.' His songs offered a lighter take on the trucker world, using humor and relatable anecdotes.

One of his most notable songs is 'The White Knight,' an epic tale told from the perspective of a trucker arrested by a police officer posing as a friendly fellow trucker on C.B. radio. The song detailed the interactions and the overall complexity of the situation.

The 'C.B. Dictionary' album provided a key insight into the slang and jargon of the era. It explained terms and phrases used in various trucker tunes, allowing listeners to understand the context of the lyrics, such as the different nicknames for police officers or the specific truck models used by drivers.

Legacy and Influence

The legacy of C.B. radio transcends its instrumental purpose in the trucking industry. It has influenced colloquial speech, with terms like 'put the hammer down' and 'fender bender' now commonly used in everyday language. The culture and slang of the era have been immortalized in literature and media, ensuring that the memories of the 1970s remain alive for new generations.

Overall, C.B. radio was more than just a tool for communication; it was a way of life, a subculture defined by its unique language and practices. As we reflect on this fascinating chapter of history, songs like 'Cledus's C.B. Dictionary' serve as a valuable reminder of the humor, camaraderie, and challenges faced by truckers in the 1970s.