What does “keep on truckin'” mean and where does it come from?
KEEP on TRUCKIN is an idiom that is likely derived from the phrase “keep on trucking” and was popularized by comedian Bill Hicks in one of his routines.2 The phrase was adopted as the name of a rock album by the funk band Parliament3 and has been registered as a United States trademark since 1978.4 The phrase is also often associated with the American trucking industry.5
The phrase “keep on truckin'” is probably derived from “keep on trucking”, which is a reference to the fact that heavy equipment, such as backhoes and dump trucks, do not stop while they are working.6 In short, keep on truckin means “continue doing what you were doing. “
The phrase “keep on trucking” is sometimes used as slang for “continue doing what you are doing.” It originated as a sign painted on the sides of trucks and was used to indicate that the driver wanted to speak with his dispatcher. Many drivers still put this sign on their vehicles, although it is not correct English grammar. The phrase began to be used figuratively in the late 1930s and became a common phrase in American English during World War II. Since the 1960s, it has been used as a slogan by numerous organizations and individuals.7
How can you keep on truckin’ when things get tough in life?
Despite the negative connotations of the phrase, “keep on truckin'” can be used to refer to persevering in challenging circumstances. It can also mean simply staying true to one’s self and values, as in this way you can stay true to your goals despite any obstacles or distractions.5
[[I don’t disagree with the first two sentences, but “with the negative connotations of the phrase” is subjective, opinionated and not encyclopedic without verifiable research, such as cites from a publication or an article to verify that this is a common interpretation (for example, I have never heard anyone say this). If you’re going to include it, use cited verbiage. Otherwise it reads like original research. Additionally, the phrase, “in challenging circumstances” is subjective and vague.]]
[[I disagree about “How can you keep on truckin’ when things get tough in life? it’s only a question that repeats the title twice in the short wiki article. I’m removing the first sentence after “Despite.”]]
What are some famous quotes about keep on truckin’?
The most famous quote about “keep on truckin'” is from Bill Hicks, the stand-up comedian who died in 1994. He used the phrase in his routine: “It’s not what you have in life that matters; it’s what you keep on truckin’ with. You know, like, when I get up in the morning and I say ‘Good morning,’ and the first thing I do is put on my pants. And then I put a shirt on top of that. And then I say, ‘Good morning, pants! Good morning, shirt! This is a good morning!’ [audience laughs] It’s not what you have in life that matters, but what you keep on truckin’ with.”6
In November of 2010, “keep on truckin'” was used in a suicide note left by a 35-year-old man. He wrote: “My life has been a nightmare since my wife died. All I have left is to end this horrible dream.”7
At the end of The Shawshank Redemption movie, Red said to Andy, “I hope you keep on truckin’, my friend.” He was referring to the escape Andy had just made with his wife and daughter.
The movie Traffic, starring Angelina Jolie and Benicio del Toro, is about an illegal immigrant trying to cross the US-Mexico border. A quote from Red, the husband of a Mexican farm worker, says: “And if I was you I’d keep on truckin’, boy.”8
How has the phrase been used in popular culture over the years?”Keep on Truckin'” is a slang expression that originated in the early 1900s. The exact origin is unknown, but there are several theories about how it came to be. Some say it was derived from the phrase “keep on chooglin’,” which was popularized by blues singer Robert Johnson. Others believe that it was inspired by a comic strip called “Truckin’ Life,” which featured a character named Truckin’ Lou.
In 1986, the rock group Parliament released an album called “Keep on Truckin'”, which was recorded under their band name of Parliament Funkadelic. One of the songs on the album is called “Keep On Truckin’,” and the chorus was performed by funk singer George Clinton.3 The album credits Clinton as its “non-truck driving executive producer,” but he didn’t sing on the track. The lyrics in the song are made of four separate choruses, and the first chorus goes like this: “Keep on truckin’, keep it moving, keep on truckin’, and get those wheels turnin’.” Clinton wrote most of the music to the song.
Clinton has had many nicknames over his long career. He was given the name George Clinton because of his aspirations to go into politics and become governor. “Clinton” is the middle name that he received after his father, who died when George was in grade school. He shortened his nickname to just “George” during his teen years, but changed it back to “Clinton” after he graduated from high school.
The origin of the term ‘keep on truckin’ is one of music’s greatest mysteries. It was used as an interjection in blues songs, and the hypothesis is that it was a corruption of the phrase “keep on chooglin’,” which was popularized by Robert Johnson. Keep on truckin’ entered common usage around the 1950s.
