What’s Your 20? Know The Meaning, Origins, Slang and More

You have probably heard someone ask, “What’s your 20?” But do you know what it means? This phrase started as slang, but now it’s widely used by different groups like police officers and truck drivers.

What’s your 20 means asking someone’s location. It comes from the police radio code "10-20," which means "location." This code was made in the 1930s and later used by truckers and CB radio users to ask for someone's location.

Let’s explain its origins, how it became popular and why it’s still used in various fields today.

What Does “What’s Your 20?” Mean?

What's your 20 means, ‘Where are you’ or ‘What’s your location’. It comes from the ten-code system used by police officers and CB radio operators for quick and clear communication over the radio. It has become a popular phrase in different conversations.

The 10 codes were developed in the late 1930s by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO). Its main goal was to help police talk to each other clearly on radios.

Over time, people who used CB radios, like truck drivers, started using them as well. That's how "What's your 20?" became a way to ask someone where they are.

It's used in casual conversations, pop culture and even mental health check-ins among first responders and military personnel.

Where Did "What's Your 20?" Come From?

"What’s your 20?" comes from the 10-code system. It was made by Charles “Charlie” Hopper, who worked for the Illinois State Police as a communications director. The goal was to shorten messages so they wouldn’t take too much time or space on the radio.

In the 1970s, CB radios became popular with truckers and long-distance drivers. These radios helped drivers stay in touch with each other while traveling on the road. Truckers traveled in groups over long distances, and staying connected was important.

One good example is the 1975 song "Convoy" by C.W. McCall. The song tells a story about a group of truck drivers and uses trucker slang, like "What's your 20?" This made the phrase more well-known. The song, and later a movie, helped share these phrases with people who weren’t truckers. Words like "10-4" and "What’s your 20?" became part of everyday speech.

How "What’s Your 20?" Is Used Today

"What’s your 20?" is now used in everyday conversations to ask someone where they are. Friends and family might use it when planning or meeting up. It has also become popular in TV shows, movies and songs.

It’s also used in serious situations as well. The military or emergency workers use this phrase to ask for someone’s location quickly. People also use it in texts and social media. It has become a common way to check where someone is. It has become a common way to check where someone is.

How to Respond to "What’s Your 20?"

You can respond to ‘What’s your 20?’ depending on your situation. Here are some professional and casual examples of how you can reply to this message:

In Professional Situation

In a professional situation, you can give a clear and simple answer. For example:

"I’m in the meeting room on the second floor."
"I’m at the entrance, near the parking lot."

These types of answers help people know exactly where you are, especially if they need to find you for work or an important meeting.

In Casual Situations

When talking to friends or family, you can add humor to your response. Here’s how you can answer:

"I’m on the couch, binge-watching a show."
"I’m on my way, just leaving the house."

It’s perfect for when you’re just casually checking in with someone.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

What’s You 20 is excellent for communicating locations. But there are some situations where you should avoid using it:

• In a serious situation like an emergency, you need to be more specific and clear.
• In a situation where people are not familiar with this phrase.

In these types of situations, you can clearly say where you are without using any slang. For example: "I’m at the hospital" or "I’m in the office."

By following these rules, you can answer "What’s your 20?" in a way that fits the situation and keeps communication smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

"What's your 20?" is a way of asking where someone is. Here are some common questions answered about its meaning, differences and similar phrases:

What does “What’s Your 20?” mean in slang?

"What's your 20?" is a slang phrase for asking where someone is. It comes from CB (Citizens Band) radio, where people used a unique code called "10-20" to mean "location." "What's your 20?" is a common way to ask someone where they are.

What’s the difference between “What’s your 20?” and “What’s your 10/20?”

Both phrases are used to ask where someone is, but “What’s your 20?” is used more often in regular conversations. “What’s your 10/20?” also means the 10-20 code for location, but it’s less common and might sound more formal or technical.

Why do truckers say, “What’s your 20?”

Truckers say, “What’s your 20?” to ask where other truckers are during long trips. It helps them stay safe and stay connected on the road. The phrase started as part of CB radio slang and is now a common way for truckers to check each other's locations."

What is your 20 military meaning?

In the military, "20" asks where someone is, just like in CB radio slang. For example, a soldier might say, "What's your 20?" when they want to know where another person is located. It's a quick way to ask for someone's location.

Final Words

“What’s your 20?” has become a popular radio slang. Originally used by police and truck drivers to ask for location, it’s now a common phrase in everyday conversations. It has even appeared in pop culture, such as in the movie Smokey and the Bandit and the song "Convoy" by C.W. McCall.

The phrase has moved beyond its original use in radios and is now used in everyday conversations. It helps people quickly get important information, especially in urgent situations. Originally used by police officers, it made communication faster and clearer when every second counts.