Buzz
Retail stores, medical facilities, entertainment venues, and other crowded public spaces often rely on secret codes to communicate internally. These codes are kept hidden from the general public to prevent panic or to avoid tipping off people (like thieves) that they've been noticed. Many stores have their own unique codes, such as Walmart, but others are commonly recognized across different locations. Here’s a list of ten secret codes that could be useful to you or at least satisfy your curiosity if you ever encounter them.
10. Ten-Codes
The Ten-Codes, widely used by law enforcement officers in the United States, are a set of shorthand signals to communicate between officers. Although many of these codes are publicly available online, a number of police departments have tried to restrict their distribution, making them noteworthy for our list. Developed in 1937 and later expanded in 1974, these codes are still used today. In California, for instance, extra codes predated the ten codes. A 187 (one eighty-seven) signifies homicide, while a 10-31 means a crime is in progress, 10-27-1 signals a homicide, and 10-00 (ten double-zero) indicates an “officer down” emergency requiring all patrols to respond. For the complete list of police codes, check out Wikipedia.
9. Professional Codes
In tech support, there are various codes used to describe a customer issue. One of the most popular ones on the internet is PEBKAC (Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair), though there are many others. For instance, when a fault is fixed, the term ‘PICNIC’ is used (Problem In Chair – Not In Computer), or sometimes, ‘ID 10 T Error,’ which cleverly spells out ‘IDIOT.’ Let’s hope you never see this logged into your file after a technician fixes your computer.
8. Time Check
Time Check (often phrased as “Time check: the time is 12:00”) can signal an alert for a bomb threat in stores. This code instructs staff to follow emergency procedures, which might include searching for suspicious items or preparing to evacuate. If you ever hear a time check in a store, it’s probably wise to start heading toward the exit. Surprisingly, many stores expect their employees to actively search for the bomb—something that most teenage checkout clerks never expected when they signed up for the job.
7. Code 10
A 'Code 10' in hospitals can refer to a mass casualty event or a major threat, such as a bomb alert. However, a ‘Code 10 Authorization’ is more commonly heard from merchants. It’s used when they need to call the credit card company to verify your card. This typically means the merchant has some suspicion about your card, and they prefer to keep it discreet while they investigate. When the credit card company hears ‘Code 10,’ they ask a series of yes/no questions to assess the situation. If they determine something is off, they may ask the merchant to retain your card, often leading to a call to law enforcement.
6. Doctor 'X'
Hospitals frequently page doctors, but most people don't pay much attention. However, these pages often carry specific meanings. For instance, the term 'Doctor Brown' is used in hospitals as a discreet signal to alert security that a healthcare worker may be in danger due to an aggressive patient or visitor. In such cases, the security team responds quickly to assist. Similarly, 'Doctor White' may indicate a pediatric emergency in some locations, while in other regions, it might represent an external threat to the facility. Additionally, hospitals use 'codes' for various emergency situations—'Code Silver' signals a person with a weapon, and 'Code Gray' means a person is threatening others without a weapon. Each hospital may have its own unique set of codes, which are often not standardized globally.
5. Code Oscar
On ships, 'Code Oscar' is used to indicate that someone has fallen overboard. If the ship needs to take sudden or erratic maneuvers in response, it also issues a signal to warn nearby vessels of course changes. It's important to note that ships don't have a universal set of PA codes, and these signals can vary by region or ship. For example, 'Code Delta' is often used to refer to a biological hazard, though its specific meaning can be uncertain, especially on passenger vessels. Lastly, 'Code Alpha' generally denotes a medical emergency on board.
4. Code Bravo
Code Bravo is a security alert code used primarily at airports. Unlike many other codes, it is designed to create panic—not by revealing its meaning, but by prompting security personnel to loudly announce 'Code Bravo.' This commotion is meant to help agents quickly identify the source of the issue without interference from passengers. Interestingly, on ships, 'Code Bravo' signals a fire emergency, the most severe type of alert on board. When a fire occurs, the only options are to either evacuate or be trapped by the flames. Ships also use specific sound signals, like 7 short blasts followed by 1 long one, to indicate the command 'man the lifeboats.'
3. Code Adam
The 'Code Adam' alert was originally created by Walmart, but it has since become widely recognized worldwide. It is used to report a 'missing child.' The code was introduced in 1994, named after Adam Walsh, a six-year-old boy who disappeared from a Sears store in Florida in 1981 and was later found murdered. When a 'Code Adam' is announced, the description of the missing child is provided, and store security begins monitoring exits. If the child isn't found within 10 minutes, the police are contacted, and a full store search is launched. If the child is located within this window and is with an unfamiliar adult, the police are called, and the adult is detained if possible. In 2003, the U.S. Congress made 'Code Adam' mandatory in all federal buildings. A similar system, called the AMBER alert, was created for broader use across the U.S., named after Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered.
Contributor: JFrater
2. WalMart
Walmart has its own set of unique codes, some of which are store-specific and not cause for alarm. For instance, a 'Code 10' or 'Code 20' simply indicates a dry or wet spill, with the main risk being a slip. 'Code 300' calls for security, while 'Code Orange' signals a chemical spill. However, there are some codes to be cautious about: 'Code Red' means there’s a fire in the building, so evacuate immediately. Even more concerning, 'Code Blue' signals a bomb threat—leave, but don’t run, to avoid suspicion. 'Code Green' indicates a hostage situation, and 'Code White' points to an accident. The most commonly heard code is 'Code C,' which requests customer service, typically meaning more cashiers are needed. Finally, the most famous Walmart code... well, it’s so notable that it gets its own entry.
1. Inspector Sands
The 'Inspector Sands' code, sometimes referred to as 'Mr. Sands,' is used in the UK to signal a fire emergency, particularly in public spaces. Since it's not ideal to announce a fire outright, this code alerts staff discreetly, avoiding panic among customers. The phrasing may vary by location, with the London Underground, for example, using a recorded 'Inspector Sands' message triggered by smoke detectors. In some shops, it might sound like, 'Will Inspector Sands, please report to the men’s changing room,' if that's where the fire is located. This code was notably used in the Underground during the July 7, 2005 bombings, though it has often been mistakenly linked to bomb threats. In fact, the actual bomb-related code in the Underground is 'Mr. Gravel,' as in 'Mr. Gravel is in the foyer.' 'Inspector Sands' is also used in theaters during fire situations.
