Aside from a limited number of technical and regulatory terms inherent in amateur vernacular, plain conversational English should be used when conversing on a repeater. Avoid lingo and slang whenever possible, especially citizens band terms. CB has its own language and style, and so does amateur radio, but the two are decidedly not the same. Many hams can trace their radio roots back to CB, but regardless, lingo should be left on 11 meters. Operators who use CB terms, or follow conventions and practices typical of CB, will typically be considered a "lid" (poor operator) by others. If you are unsure what terminology is acceptable on amateur radio versus what is unwelcome lingo, take the safe route by avoiding slang terms and speaking as if you were conversing in person with a new acquaintance.

Below are a few terms that are discouraged in amateur radio, and when used, typically bring negative attention to the person using them:

Personal or Operator. Amateur radio operators have names, not "personals". They do not refer to themselves or each other as "operator", such as "Operator Joe here".

On the side. When an amateur station has completed a communication, they clear their station by identifying with their callsign followed by "clear". If they will continue to monitor the frequency for other calls, they clear their station by identifying with their callsign followed by "clear and monitoring" or "clear and listening".

Comeback. It is acceptable and polite to say to another station "thank you for returning my call", not "thanks for the comeback".

Radio check. Amateurs ask for a "signal report", not a "radio check."

10-codes should never be used