Top 10 Badass Swords You Aren’t Meant to Know

Discover the top 10 secret codes used in places like shopping malls, hospitals, airports, and ships — including Code Adam, Inspector Sands, and Doctor Brown. These mysterious codes are designed to alert staff about emergencies like missing children, fires, and even bomb threats — all without alarming the public. Learn what they mean, where they’re used, and how they work behind the scenes.

1. Code Adam

“Code Adam” was invented by Wal-Mart and is now internationally recognized. It means a missing child alert. Created in memory of Adam Walsh, this code initiates immediate action to locate a lost child in a store or building.

2. Wal-Mart Codes

Wal-Mart has its own unique set of codes. While some, like “code 10” or “code 20,” refer to spills, others like “code red” (fire), “code blue” (bomb), and “code green” (hostage situation) are much more serious.

3. Inspector Sands

Used in the UK, especially in subways and stores, this code signals a fire without alarming customers. Variations include “Mr. Sands” or “Mr. Johnson” depending on location.

4. Code Bravo

At airports, “code bravo” is used to declare a general security alert. On ships, however, it means fire—often accompanied by loud announcements or alarms for immediate evacuation.

5. Code Oscar

This code, used on ships, alerts the crew that someone has gone overboard. Accompanied by horn signals, it prompts immediate maneuvering and rescue.

6. Doctor Brown

Hospitals use this code to quietly call security when a staff member faces a violent person or threat. Related codes include “code silver” (armed person) and “code gray” (unarmed violent person).

7. Code 10

In hospitals, this can mean mass casualties, but in retail, it’s a discreet way for a merchant to verify a suspicious credit card without alerting the customer.

8. Time Check

In retail stores, “Time check: the time is 12:00” may signal a bomb threat. It prompts staff to follow emergency procedures quietly, sometimes even to search for the threat themselves.

9. Professional Codes

In tech support, funny acronyms like PEBKAC (Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair) and ID10T (idiot) describe user errors without offending them directly.

10. Ten Codes

Used by police, these radio codes include “10-31” (crime in progress), “10-00” (officer down), and “187” (homicide in California). Though public now, they were once classified.