Cowboy Words
Git along, little dogie
Saturdays are perfect days for linguistic history surprises. Surprise—we’re talking about lingo from the American Old West!
Anyone who grew up in America in the 20th century is likely somewhat fluent in cowboy lingo or at least the popularized slang of TV Westerns. Without diving into the complete lexicon of the Old West, we can still appreciate the diverse linguistic influences that took root on the range and flowered into colorful terms still used today.
Note that most cowboy words derive from Spanish and thus from classical roots.
buckaroo (noun) - cowboy; derived from the Spanish vaquero also meaning cowboy
BREAKDOWN: vaca- (cow) + -EROO (fun or fantastic example)
cahoots (noun) - partnership or collusion; a variation or vulgarization of cohort meaning one or many companions, conspirators, or accomplices
BREAKDOWN: CO- (with) + HORT- (garden)
critter (noun) - a colloquial term for creature meaning an animal or any nonhuman living organism
BREAKDOWN: CRE- (grow) + -TURE (act or state)
hoosegow (noun) - jail or any place of confinement for wrongdoers; derived from the Spanish juzgado meaning courtroom
BREAKDOWN: JUD- (judge)
howdy (noun) - a greeting derived from “How do ye?” or “How do you do?”
lariat (noun) - a lasso or loop of rope used to catch livestock; derived from the Spanish la reata meaning to tie against
BREAKDOWN: LA- (the) + RE- (back) + APT- (fit)
ten gallon hat (noun) - a cowboy hat characterized by a wide brim and high crown; derived from the Spanish tan galán meaning so handsome
BREAKDOWN: GAL- (make merry) + -ANT (state of)
varmint (noun) - a colloquial term for vermin meaning any small harmful or annoying insect or animal; a pest, nuisance, or parasite
BREAKDOWN: VERMI- (worm) + -IAN (pertaining to)
vamoose (verb) - depart hurriedly or quickly; derived from the Spanish vamos meaning let us
NOTE: The cowboy word mosey meaning to amble, meander, or move in a slow and leisurely manner might also derive from vamos. However, uncertainty about its origin exists, as the word might also come from the British slang word mose meaning to go about in a dull or stupid way.
vittles (noun) - a colloquial term for victuals meaning food or provisions
BREAKDOWN: VITA- (life) + -UAL (pertaining to)
“Sit tall in the saddle and hold your head up high. Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky, and live like you ain't afraid to die. Don't be scared...just enjoy the ride.” —Chris LeDoux
