{"id":477,"date":"2022-05-11T16:32:39","date_gmt":"2022-05-11T16:32:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=477"},"modified":"2022-05-11T16:32:39","modified_gmt":"2022-05-11T16:32:39","slug":"10-4-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/10-4-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"10-4 - Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a confirmation response to tell your friend that you understand their request? You could always use \u201c10-4<\/em>\u201d to show them you get what they are saying. The \u201c10-4\u201d<\/em> code appears in media and movies, and you probably hear it all the time, but what does it mean?<\/p>\n

This post unpacks everything you need to know about the meaning, origin, and use of this term in conversation.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

\u201c10-4<\/em>\u201d is a part of the \u201cten code<\/em>\u201d terms used in law enforcement and the military, as well as in truck driver communications. When you say \u201c10-4<\/em>\u201d, you\u2019re using it as a confirmation that you received information from another party, and you are acting on that information.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Typically, most people who use the phrase will be using it with other people who understand the term in official law enforcement or military situations. \u201c10-4\u201d<\/em> means that you know what the person is saying, and it often features the phrase, \u201c10-4 copy<\/em>.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cCopy<\/em>\u201d is another way of saying that you receive and understand the information in the communication. However, 10-4 and copy are essentially the same terms, and saying \u201ccopy<\/em>\u201d after \u201c10-4<\/em>\u201d is somewhat redundant. Still, people will use it to impress that they received the request or information and understand the context of the request.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

Rowan: \u201cAre you headed to my house now, Ray?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ray: \u201c10-4<\/em> good buddy, I\u2019ll see you in a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seb: \u201cAll units, be advised, we have an armed criminal in the neighborhood, last seen driving a blue Pontiac.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shane: \u201c10-4 copy<\/em>; we\u2019re searching the area for the suspect right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bruce: \u201cAre you on your way to the meeting at the office, Theo?\u201d<\/p>\n

Theo: \u201c10-4<\/em>, I\u2019ll be there on time; the traffic is backed up right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The term \u201c10-4<\/em>\u201d originates from the CB-radio culture of the 1970s. Hollywood films promoted the use of CB radios in films like \u201csmokey and the Bandit<\/em>\u201d and \u201cCannonball Run<\/em>.\u201d \u201cCB<\/em>\u201d stands for \u201ccitizens band<\/em>,\u201d with the biggest user base found in the trucking industry.<\/p>\n

As the use of CB radios spread, it started a subculture where CB operators were a tight-knit group of individuals, spending their time communicating with each other over the airwaves. Along with private users, CB networks were widely adopted by law enforcement and medical services as a means of stable communications.<\/p>\n

With the rise of law enforcement using CB, the advent of \u201c10-codes<\/em>\u201d started after World War II. The first set of 10-codes implemented by law enforcement occurred in 1940, with the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APC)<\/em> setting the guidelines for the codes.<\/p>\n

The original use of 10-codes<\/em> was to keep communications private and reduce the need for conversation intense, adrenaline-fueled situations.<\/p>\n