They were covered in dust and had little time to wash or shave. One was to be a cowboy and another was to be in the military. Unless you're a cowboy, of course. Arose during the American Civil War. The word arose prior to 1897, when it appeared in Owen Wister’s A Journey in Search of Christmas. Bigmouth: a person who talks too much, usually about something another doesn’t want discussed. He's a cowboy ain't he. Inside every cowboy there’s a lady who’d love to slip out. A ranch had a house for the rancher and his family, barns for animals, and a bunkhouse where the cowboys slept. Arose in Britain in 1788 as a reference to paupers occupying vacant buildings; first recorded use in the American west 1880. Always interesting to read your posts on word origins and meanings. The cowboy life attracts special type of individual who can shift for himself and endure isolation, and one who thrives on physical hardship, a certain amount of danger, and low wages. The word “heel” took on that very meaning in 1810. . It was a time of gold rushes, cattle rustling and of course, the so-called Cowboys. The term originated in New York City c. 1880-1885; antecedents uncertain. Originally (late-15th C.) “bellows for an organ.”. Ride E'm Cowboy, don't let them throw ya down.. You can't make no money if ya hit the ground, Ride E'm Cowboy, don't let them throw ya down, You're the toughest Cowboy in town. The “loon” that means “a crazy, foolish or silly person” comes from the Middle English “loun.” Originally, this “loon,” which entered English in the 1400s, meant “a lout, idler, rogue,” and later this negative definition was extended to mean “a crazy person or simpleton.”, English is a Germanic language like Scandinavian (from the Angles early raids on England = Anglish), but with heavy French (from Latin) influences starting from the Norman invasion, so… loon/lunatic have been around a while it seems whichever route one takes. Every coach has his own style of play, but when you spend your whole life as a Cowboy, you have to be influenced by what we did. Remove the cowboy from his working environment and you have someone else, someone who resembles a cowboy in outward appearance but who, to one degree or another, is an imposter. If your were out west about a hundred years ago, you might heard a cowboy yelling--ti yi yippy yay!- as he rode across the plains. Western in slang; Unwell (slang) — unpleasant (slang) Wealthy (slang) — drunk (slang) Western tribe; Western wear; Western n.c.a.a. From Buffalo Bill Cody to The Lone Ranger, cowboys occupy a special space in American pop culture. And the end is not the end. Originally used to describe fishes, the word became American slang c. 1866. Hustler: in 1825, a thief, especially one who roughed up his victims. Cowboy work is more than a job; it is a life-style and a medium of expression. Heeler: unscrupulous political lackey. High-binder: swindler, confidence man, cheat (especially of the political variety). The trouble comes when he tries to unload it. When you're my age, you splatter. Learn this well, the last ride is never the last ride. I’m still not certain that I can dismiss the moon’s influence given that it controls the oceans’ tides. Bluebelly: from the early 1800s in the U.S. South, a derogatory term for a northerner; a Yankee. It's a lot like nuts and bolts-if the rider's nuts, the horse bolts! First Known Use: 14th century.”. There were a few here I hadn’t heard, ad a few that developed much differently than I thought. A rancher with no heart. The only good reason to ride a bull is to meet a nurse. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Visit her at the Hole in the Web Gang's hideout, KathleenRiceAdams.com. Tenderfoot: newcomer; inexperienced person. Bottom-feeder: a reviled person, especially someone who uses a position of authority to abuse others; a lowlife. Insults and pejoratives have been around since man’s first spoken word. From about 1850, a pretentious, opinionated person. The cowboy was far more than a theatric character. Lucky for you, slang … Here’s what Merriam-Webster has for its origins: Thanks for sharing. First appearance in print 1827. An exception to this is Hopalong Cassidy, a good guy, who wore a black hat. Yellow dog: contemptible person. He is defined by his work, which should not be confused with the term 'job'. You can tell a true cowboy by the type of horse that he rides. (The related British term “nutter,” meaning insane person, first appeared in print 1958.). The word 'cowboy' implies a strong, stubborn individual whose individualism depends on pulling down other people's individualism. Cowboys used the phrase “duded up” to mean “dressed up.” Contemporary usage of “dude” as a minor term of endearment or indication of spiritual kinship arose in California’s surfer culture during the latter half of the 20th century. Secesh: short for secessionist. Boots, chaps and cowboy hats. The adjective appeared in 1853; the noun followed in 1884. The cowboys can rest and look at the distant mountains, the fish in the creek and the setting sun. There’s just something about the spectacle of wrangling often dangerous animals and their courageous image that continues to capture the imagination of the public. Cowboy films often show cowboys who are handsome, clean shaven, young and fair skinned. Wow, what a fun list! Now you are thinking like a thief. Cowboys don't get married, unless they stop being cowboys. American English, c. 1889. First documented use 1830. Have heard or read most of these. A cowboy would rather throw a bull than eat beans with his knife. Loony: short for lunatic; possibly also influenced by the loon bird, known for its wild cry.