Did you know that pilots around the world speak a secret language? Yes, they use coded words and phrases! When you accidentally catch some bits of conversation between flight attendants and pilots, and it’s like they’re speaking another language. Have you heard “zulu”, “pax,” or “gate lice” in the movies about aviation? Secret codes, abbreviations, seemingly meaningless phrases? Well, they a real.

Here's one example. When most passengers hear the word "turbulence," they start to quietly (or not so quietly) panic. That's why crew members avoid saying this word when they're talking to each other. Instead, they use the term "air pocket." But it's just another word for the phenomenon that will jostle your plane up and down or from one side to the other.

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