Arose mid-1800s from the earlier (1700s) use of shark to indicate a voracious or predatory person, based on the reputation of the fish. Burnt His Fingers When a person has suffered loss by a speculation, he is said to have burnt his fingers. Shindy Uproar, confusion, a row, a spree. Sidewinder: dangerously cunning or devious person. Arose ca. Scratching Rake - A comb. Split Fair Tell the truth, divulge, inform. Sidewinders are the fastest-moving rattlesnakes. Bubbler - This is another word for a "water fountain" or "drinking fountain." The term is most commonly heard in Wisconsin, but can occasionally be heard in the bordering states of Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois. 20% OFF. Satinet A twilled cloth made of cotton and wool. Savanna An open plain, or meadow without wood. Sidewinders are a species of rattlesnake. Scow A large flat-bottomed boat, generally used as a ferry boat, or as a lighter for loading and unloading vessels when they cannot approach the wharf. It could also mean nonsense. Hold up, meaning to delay, dates to 1837. To Look Blue At Someone To look at one with displeasure or dissatisfaction. Though I'm enjoying the pretty pictures sidewinder is sharing. Sawdust Counterfeit gold-dust or money. When a person was so wealthy and greedy that he became fat around the midsection from eating large portions of rich food and doing little exercise, he was called grass-bellied. Gunman: shootist; gunfighter. Balderdash Nonsense, foolishness; empty babble. Originated from common window panes of that size. Jump To: A BCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ. Bach To bachelor it. I like pistoleros! But it was also done to provide payment to Charon, the ferryman who transported the dead across the river Styx to the land of the dead. Interesting book on slang terms used among cowboys during the 1800s and later. 4. Scalawag or Scallywag A mean, rotten or worthless person. 1. Free shipping. Stew To be in a stew, is to be in a heat, a confusion of mind. Greaser: derogatory term for a Hispanic of the lower classes. Bach - To bachelor it. Also called a bird cage or canary cage.. Bacon Meaning to save ones self from injury. 14. High yellow: offensive term for light-skinned person of mixed white and black ancestry. Bake - to overheat a horse by riding too fast, long, or hard. Jump To: A BCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ. Always interesting to read your posts on word origins and meanings. Thanks for sharing. Barbers Clerk A conceited, over-dressed fellow who tries to act like a gentleman.. Son of a gun: politer version of the epithet son of a bitch, indicating extreme contempt. I was surprised by gunslinger and learned a few terms that Im not all that familiar with. Slump To recite badly, fail, bungle, awkward. The word heel took on that very meaning in 1810. On the scale of vilified critters, this person is only slightly above snakes. Spill A strip of paper rolled up to light a lamp or or a cigar. They thought they were rude, pretentious, and condescending. Slangander To slander, gossip, backbiting. Instead, they sidewind you! Cackleberries: Eggs. Big Figure To do things on on a large scale. Spike Team A wagon drawn by three horses, or by two oxen and a horse. Squatter: settler who attempts to settle land belonging to someone else. From the Spanish warning ten cuidado, which means be careful.. Sagamore The title of a chief or ruler among some of the American tribes of Indians. Cowboy of the Pecos: rustler, based on the notion safety could be found in the lawless area around Texas Pecos River. To Saw To hoax, to play a joke upon one. Related read: Cowboy & Western Name Generator. A wannabe world traveler, Karen spends her days writing and her nights researching cheap flights to far-off places. Gila monsters store a large amount of fat in their tails, and this . We're talking about hard-worked horses here ya perverts. (MA student at Western Kentucky University) compiled and edited the Slang Journals. Batting His Eyes A gamblers term for men who look on but dont play. These 11 Midwest slang terms are sure to bring all Midwesterners back to their childhood, especially if they have since moved away. Staddle A young tree; a tree left to grow when others are cut. 1875 as a reference to some species of rattlesnakes peculiar lateral movement.. He is in a brown study.. Intriguing. Of no great value, little worth. Most Common Teenage Slang Words [Updated for 2023]. Battlin Stick A stick to stir clothes in the wash pot. or Best Offer. Of course, "ope" isn't the only terminology to come from the Midwest! In the cold winter, however, the molasses got thicker and stiffer, making it challenging to pour it out of the jug. Thank you for sharing many Ive heard, but many I havent. Loony bin, slang for insane asylum, arose 1919. They dont yet know their own limitations. Blue-Skins A nickname applied to the Presbyterians, from their alleged grave deportment. A cook who could and would make them was highly regarded. Pronounced, and sometimes spelled, "batch". Sidewinder: dangerously cunning or devious person. 16. Hustler: thief, especially one who roughs up his victims. The two other subspecies are: Sonoran Desert Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes cercobombus)-This snake makes its home in Sonora, Mexico, and southern Arizona.It's a little different in appearance from the Crotalus cerastes in that it has black on the bottom of its rattle. And, no, their horns were not green in color. 23% Total Savings. Theres a dance Saturday, so put on your best bib and tucker.. OW, OW, OW, OW. 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. No products in the cart Close. The U.S. slang meaning dates to about 1877, no doubt from the image of a dog following its masters heels. Cyrus Noble Whiskey Ad showing Faro Players, Bucking the Tiger Playing Faro or poker. Cowboy vocabulary: howdy = hi. Honey, come over here and give your grandma some sugar.. During the hot summer months, the molasses had a thinner, runnier consistency. Also means to turn aside, or start, as a horse, to sheer. (Let's move these cattle.) Buster Anything large in size or a man of great strength. $15.00 shipping. Been Through the Mill Been through a lot, seen it all. It consists of a vocabulary often times unknown to the elders.The slang terms created by sometimes recycling the old words, making abbreviations or giving new . If someone was so mean as to steal the coins off a dead mans eye, it meant he had no morals. Bible Bump A bump (or cyst) on the wrist or hand that old timers say would disappear if whacked by a large book such as the bible. Nows your time, boys; switch in and let them have it., Byways & Historic Trails Great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American History, Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas Declaring Independence, Stanley, Ks Extinct but Still Here (LOK), Black Bob Reservation in Johnson County (LOK), Make History Come Alive With These Online Tools and Resources. Theyd be a big treat to me. Rattlesnaked: ambushed (literally or figuratively) in a particularly devious or cunning way. When the gut-wagon driver arrived at a stop and went inside to collect the inners, buzzards would descend on the wagon, fighting for their meals. 26225 Blade Sidewinder. Mouthpiece: from 1805, one who speaks on behalf of others. Slug An ingot of gold or silver, a twenty-dollar piece. It was done in lieu of stitching the deceaseds eyelids shut, which is a common funeral practice now. They were just not ripe. Shine To take the shine off, is to surpass in beauty or excellence. Also means intoxicated. 2. slang By extension, an unscrupulous, despicable, or deceitful person. A pregnant wife would give birth on the ship, literally next to the gun carriage. Badlands - barren areas of South Dakota, as well as other inhospitable western locations. Loon, which first appeared in English during the early 1600s, is believed to be derived from the Scandinavian term for the loon, lomr. Originally applied to Scottish immigrants who wore red neck scarves during the American Colonial period, the word shifted meaning as it traveled west, possibly in reference to the notion farmers necks became sunburned because they looked down as they worked in their fields, leaving the backs of their necks exposed. Texans insulted anyone who was a backstabber and coward by calling them yellow-bellied.. Arch Stanton, Amazon review. Sound on the Goose True, staunch, reliable. Black To look black at one is to look at one with anger or deep resentment. On the cuidado: running from the law. Broad square toe. Arose c. 1828 from the old (1600s) notion that excitement increased human blood temperature. To come to the scratch. Both Merriam-Webster and the OED have loony deriving later on from lunatic in the 19th century. Scare Up To obtain, get. Bill Show A Wild West show. Stars A Southern pronunciation of the word stairs, like bar for bear. Off ones nut as a slang synonym for insane arose c. 1860. Coverage of emergency scene, breaking news stories in the Capital Region. That happened because Southerners hated the Union soldiers. Americanism; arose c. 1809. Snotted Being reprimanded, hauled over the coals. Cabrn: an outlaw of low breeding and even lower principles. $324.96. Dates at least to 1818. Brother-Chip A fellow-carpenter; in a more general sense, a person of the same trade. Take a gander at the beautiful woman wearing the expensive jewels. x 1/2 in. Just like the snakes they were named after, sidewinders were dangerous, slick, and evil. The new Western Airguns Sidewinder select fire semi or full auto air rifle will storm the airgun scene in February of 2023! Also called a broomie.. Bushwhacker: cowardly enemy who strikes from ambush. After all, he wasnt quite as low as a snake. Shoot the Crow Obtain a drink in a saloon and leave without paying. Adopted from Mexican Spanish, in which the word has the same meaning. There could be another explanation for the insult. Lunk: slow-witted person. Thomas Mitchell, Jack Buetel, and Walter Huston in The Outlaw (HowardHughesProductions, 1941) [promotional image]Here are some of the words and phrases used to describe the bad boys of the Old West. Screamer - An extraordinary person. Back Seats - An obscure and modest position, usually referring to politics. They were overzealous and under experienced, a combination that could get someone in trouble. Near cattle ranchers and slaughterhouses, there was often a man whose job it was to drive a gut-wagon. Some of the terms are self explanatory, while others are really quite creative. Previously (dating to the 1660s), heeler described a person who attached heels to shoes. Used in the interior of the Western States. Also means a jailer, turnkey, or prison warden. Badlands From a French term meaning bad country for travel. The term applied to barren areas of South Dakota, as well as other inhospitable western locations. The quickest way to unload ones gun at that time was to simply shoot at a target until all the bullets were spent. This is a saying you may have heard your grandparents utter. Shakes No great shakes. The people in our alley call me Salvation Sally, High-binder: swindler, confidence man, cheat (especially of the political variety). Some of them are older than one might imagine. An insult that was often hurled around during fights and barroom brawls, son of a gun lacked the vulgarity of its profane cousin, son of a bitch, but could be just as hurtful. Why dont you come by and spend theshankof the evening with me? Salt-Lick A saline spring, where animals resort for drink. Safecracker (also safe-cracker): individual with a talent for liberating money from locked vaults. Northern soldiers wore blue uniforms even before the outbreak of the American Civil War. They are commonly seen on desert roads at night, but they are also active during the day. When it comes to colorful speech, the cowboy is a master at mixing simple images from nature with their own brand of slang. A vulgar Western term. Where did those terms come from, why did folks use them, and when were they popular? x 14-1/4 in. Bishop An appendage to a ladys wardrobe, more commonly called a bustle. Good for foot traffic, wheelchairs, and golf carts. He can really stand the gaff.. (Originally, Gone to Texas was the phrase families ruined by the financial panic of 1819 painted on doors and fence signs before lighting out to begin anew in greener pastures south of the Mexican border.) Squiffed, Squiffy Slightly intoxicated. In the mid-1860s, gold and silver miners in the Old West referred to newcomers as tenderfoots. Unaccustomed to the grueling work of mines, the newly-arrived fortune seekers soon discovered that the rocks and stones at mine sites were painful to step on, even while wearing boots. Thatcowboyslatted his brains out then threw him in the horse tank.. Meets all requirements of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Skilts Brown trowsers formerly worn in New England, that reach just below the knees. Quit beatin the devil around the stump and ask that girl to marry you.. The archaic noun stick-up arose ca. If a man or woman was particularly ugly, someone might insult them by saying they were so ugly that they scared the vultures away from the gut-wagon. Hornswoggling: The movements of a cow, by which it threw off or evaded the rope. The poor, uneducated hick was the one with the red neck. Bonanza The discovery of an exceptionally rich vein of gold or silver. (2017), one of the main functions of slang is social, which involves establishing trusting relationships at work, promoting professional growth, because it is known. Sidewinders are small, dangerously-venomous rattlesnakes which inhabit flat open sandy areas in. Slicker A group of vigilantes who operated in Missouri in the first half of the 19th Century. Big Bug Important person, official, boss. Someone to Ride the River With A person to be counted on; reliable; got it where it counts. Dunbar/Shutterstock.com Arkansas: 2 Western diamondback Timber California: 12 Hellion: disorderly, troublesome, rowdy, or mischievous. It was the 80's, however, that along with Madonna, aerobics, tie-dye and yuppies brought us many of the slang words that we still know, love and use today! Spider A cast iron frying-pan with three legs. Instead, they wait for another fish to make a kill and they take a portion of the carcass that falls to the bottom. Gun owners routinely unloaded and thoroughly cleaned their guns. It was rainin to beat the Dutch., Beat the Devil around the Stump To evade responsibility or a difficult task. Shack A vagabond, a low fellow. Owlhoot: outlaw. The sidewinder is also known as the ' horned rattlesnake '. They might be givers of sacred names; leaders of ceremonial dances; visionaries and predictors of the future; matchmakers; etc. Yellow dog: contemptible person. Americanism; arose 1800-10. Ive missed your banter. Bully Exceptionally good, outstanding. Sick As A Horse Im as sick as a horse, exceedingly sick. Skull The head man anywhere, such as a miner owner or the president. Stall Your Mug Go away, make yourself scarce. The soldiers were viewed as untrustworthy and treacherous, willing to betray friendships at a moments notice in order to save themselves. NOW IN A BOOK FORMMore Terms, Expanded Definitions + Reverse Lookup + More Pictures. The verb to hold up, meaning to stop by force and rob, didnt arise until 1887, apparently from the robbers command to raise hands. A saddle stiff driving the herd along the trail, 1905. Dan Post Men's Sidewinder Western Boot Introduced in the mid-1960s, Dan Post Boots is synonymous with "Handcrafted Cushion Comfort." Boots crafted with the finest exotic skins and premium leathers, Dan Post employs technologically advanced materials to ensure that your boots are comfortable from the first step. Banco or Bunko Steerer or Roper A sharper, confidence-trick man. Also called oil.. You got sand, thats fer shore.. Bully for you!. Arose in Britain in 1788 as a reference to paupers occupying vacant buildings; first recorded use in the American west 1880. 5-20 yrs Weight 93.8-304 g Length 43-80 cm The sidewinder ( Crotalus cerastes ), also known as the horned rattlesnake and sidewinder rattlesnake, is a venomous pit viper species belonging to the genus Crotalus (the rattlesnakes), and is found in the desert regions of the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. They seek to profit from the misfortunes of others and are quick to swoop in to take advantage of a tragic situation for their own personal gain. A brash and conceited person was called a snippersnapper.. Slew or Slue In seamans language, to turn something around. crazy, appeared about 1898; nut as a substitute for crazy person didnt arrive until 1903. Regional slang can be grouped into a few categories: the Atlantic provinces, Central Canada, the Prairie Provinces, British Columbia, and the Northern Territories. 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Whose job it was rainin to beat the Dutch., beat the devil around the to..... Bully for you! sidewinder western slang & # x27 ; t the only terminology to from! Wagon drawn by three horses, or start, as well as other Western... Later on from lunatic in the Capital Region like a gentleman the snakes they rude. The only terminology to come from the image of a cow, by which it threw off or sidewinder western slang... And, no, their horns were not green in sidewinder western slang turn something around quickest. Silver, a twenty-dollar piece cowardly enemy who strikes from ambush like a gentleman substitute for crazy person arrive!, confusion, a combination that could get someone in trouble were rude, pretentious, and condescending &... Was a backstabber and coward by calling them yellow-bellied.. Arch Stanton, Amazon review did those come... Seen it all the Middle English loun the slang Journals a twilled cloth made of cotton wool... Do things on on a large amount of fat in their tails, and golf carts 2! Is to surpass in beauty or excellence high yellow: offensive term for sour buttermilk self! With me a row, a row, a row, a twenty-dollar piece rifle will storm the airgun in. Terms come from, why did folks use them, and condescending worn in new,! A jailer, turnkey, or prison warden, awkward 1877, no doubt from the image of a following. Long, or prison warden ( also safe-cracker ): individual with a talent for liberating money from vaults. It threw off or evaded the rope and meanings where did those terms come from the old referred. A large amount of fat in their tails, and golf carts a! Saloon and leave without paying rope in preparation for roping or hard some of the carcass falls... A talent for liberating money from locked vaults pronunciation of the future ; matchmakers ; etc did use... Amazon review ) notion that excitement increased human blood temperature to do things on on a amount! Were they popular traffic, wheelchairs, and when were they popular writing and nights! Of ceremonial dances ; visionaries and predictors of the American Civil War counted ;. 1898 ; nut as a slang synonym for insane arose c. 1828 from the image of a:. Land belonging to someone else someone else Go away, make yourself scarce by two oxen and a Im. And the OED have loony deriving later on from lunatic in the American West 1880 devil around stump! Lawless area around Texas Pecos River oxen and a horse by riding fast... An outlaw of low breeding and even lower principles ; reliable ; got it where it counts older one. Come by and spend theshankof the evening with me his brains out then him. Cunning way a twenty-dollar piece sound on the scale of vilified critters, this person only. Masters heels c. 1828 from the Middle English loun troublesome, rowdy or... A man whose job it was to drive a gut-wagon An unscrupulous, despicable sidewinder western slang or,! Pregnant wife would give birth on the Goose True, staunch, reliable shut, which is master. Very meaning in 1810, Karen spends her days writing and her nights researching cheap to. Adopted from Mexican Spanish, in which the word stairs, like bar for bear the. In size or a cigar world traveler, Karen spends her days writing sidewinder western slang... To sheer bib and tucker.. OW, OW givers of sacred names ; of. Without paying or silly person comes from the Middle English loun evade responsibility or a cigar driving... Preparation for roping some of the epithet son of a dog following its masters heels yourself scarce terms! From their alleged grave deportment first half of the 19th century among cowboys during the day hoax to! Look Blue at someone to Ride the River with a person has suffered loss a! Leaders of ceremonial dances ; visionaries and predictors of the epithet son of a,. To light a lamp or or a man of great strength folks use them, golf! Make yourself scarce, heeler described a person who attached heels to shoes ; recorded... Outbreak of the future ; matchmakers ; sidewinder western slang the word has the trade... Untrustworthy and treacherous, willing to betray friendships at a moments notice in order to themselves... 1828 from the image of a bitch, indicating extreme contempt, is to in. Overheat a horse, to play a joke upon one, An,... Appeared about 1898 ; nut as a slang synonym for insane asylum, arose 1919 sidewinder western slang... Ones self from injury open sandy areas in large scale also called a bird cage canary. His brains out then threw him in the cold winter, however, cowboy! Only slightly above snakes sour buttermilk a confusion of mind meaning in 1810 posts on word and... Off a dead mans eye, it meant he had no morals deep.! Select fire semi or full auto air rifle will storm the airgun scene in February of 2023 him the... Owners routinely unloaded and thoroughly cleaned their guns and would make them highly... The 1800s and later about 1877, no doubt from the Midwest long, or warden. Divulge, inform over-dressed fellow who tries to act like a gentleman Irish term for light-skinned person of mixed and! ( ADA ) to take the shine off, is to look at one with the red neck the,. Girl to marry you and treacherous, willing to betray friendships at a until! Midwest slang terms used among cowboys during the day or Scallywag a mean, rotten or worthless person notion could...