The Weekly Journal-Miner of August 13, 1890 captured some of the unique language used around Yavapai County and Arizona in their earliest days. “Old Arizonans have tacked to the English language an addenda of colloquial phrases that are to the uninitiated wholly unintelligible,” the paper wrote, “but the old-timers express ideas in a manner that is both clear and succinct.”
Hassayamper: A man who came to Arizona when the hills were holes in the ground; who “fit Injuns,” lived on brown beans and placer-mined on Hassayampa Creek. Is very numerous even when alone, has an abiding affection for plug tobacco and a contemptuous hatred for “tenderfeet.”
Tenderfoot: A new arrival from the east. Can’t get over his appetite for peanuts. Comes to Arizona to surpass the deeds of “Hurricane Bill, the Apaches Nemesis.” [A fictional character in dime novels.] Carries a 22 caliber revolver and hopes for a chance to do daring deeds. Soon recovers.
Cow Puncher: Partly human; [the] rest [is] mostly hat and spurs. Carries a big gun. Never uses it. Kills a $50 horse catching a $5 calf. Is a good citizen, but does not mean it.
Mule-Skinner: Comes from Missouri; sits on the star-board rudder mule and steers with a single line. Mostly noisy; color changes according to the character of the soil transversed.
Bullwhacker: Extinct, but historical.
[In fact, a bullwhacker was a teamster who drove oxen. The verb bullwhack means to drive animals with a whip. Oxen teams hauled the heaviest freight, at a costly price, but became virtually obsolete with the arrival of the railroad.]
Arizona Nightingale: Otherwise “burro,” sometimes termed “Mocking bird.” Sings “Oft in the Silly Night” [An 1818 poem by Thomas Moore.] Has a countenance of wisdom, ears of expression and a voice of sonorous melody. Is beloved by the Hassayamper. [In the lonely wilderness, a man’s mule could be his best friend.]
Tucson Blanket: The blue ethereal vault of heaven.
Arizona Strawberries: Grow on bean vines; are brown in color. Form the staple food all through the southwest. [These were somewhat similar to frijoles and were often included in chili.]
Sowbelly: A necessary [pairing] to boiled “strawberries.”
Dead Soldier: An empty whisky bottle.
A bath: More than four fingers of whisky.
Sonoran Stove: The sun; familiarly known in Arizona as “Ol’ Sol.”
Some of the terms mentioned in this article were new back then, and are still widely used today:
Rustler: Found in the cattle ranges. Has a monomania for putting his own brand on other people’s calves.
Buffalo Soldier: [The 1880 article used the word] Colored members of Uncle Sam’s army.
The article also included a couple of derogatory terms in reference to Native Americans and Mexicans, but did not mention the Chinese.
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Contemporary storyteller Ira Koretsky compiled 83 different examples of Old West jargon. (Find link in sources.) Here are some highlights:
“A lick and a promise”: meant a quick, half-hearted attempt.
“A hog-killin’ time.” Was an especially enjoyable time.
“Above snakes” aka “still kickin’” meant one is still alive.
“Ace-high”: First class, respected
“Ace in the hole: A hidden gun or hide-out.
“Acknowledge the corn”: Admit a lie.
“Airin’ the lungs”: A profane diatribe
"Bad Plum" (or "Lead Plum"): A bullet.
“Bag of nails”: Everything in confusion, topsy-turvy.
“Baking a horse”: meant to ride too fast for too long.
“Barkin’ at a knot”: Doing something useless.
“Best bib and tucker” were ones finest garb (clothes.)
“Caterwauling": To complain. Also: terrible singing.
“Clipped his horns”: Took someone down a notch in a physical or verbal fight.
“Fit to be tied”: Angry.
“Lickety split”: Full speed.
“Roostered”: Drunk
“Thunderation”: A non-profane curse.
And, if one doesn't know these, he might be a tenderfoot:
Cowboy: Cowpoke, cowhand, buckaroo.
Grub: Food.
Giddy-up: Directive to a horse to start moving, or go faster.
Holler: Shout.
Hoosegow: Jail.
Wild Horse: Bronc, mustang, bangtail.
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SOURCES:
Weekly Journal-Miner; August 13, 1890, Pg. 1, Col. 7.
"Cowboy Slang Lingo and Jargon” by Ira Koretsky https://www.thechiefstoryteller.com/2018/12/05/fun-with-words-cowboy-slang/
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