Bluebelly was a slang word for a Union soldier, but it evolved into an insult for a cocky person during and after the war. Americanism; arose 1800-10. $ 0.00. The verb to hold up, meaning to stop by force and rob, didnt arise until 1887, apparently from the robbers command to raise hands. Then, in a completely other source I found this: Cowboy vocabulary: howdy = hi. (The related British term nutter, meaning insane person, first appeared in print 1958.). Batting His Eyes A gamblers term for men who look on but dont play. Spoops, Spoosy A soft-brained fellow, or one whose manners are objectionable. Stretchin the Blanket Telling a tall tale. When I got home heset aboutme with a strap., Set By or Set Much By To regard, to esteem. Betterments The improvements made on new lands, by cultivation and the erection of buildings. Big Figure To do things on on a large scale. Bucket of Blood A violence-prone frontier saloon. Hes a poor shack of a fellow., Shakes Not much, not so good. Shindy Uproar, confusion, a row, a spree. Give the lift wedgie. These are some of the most common (and not so common) Southern slang terms heard in Arkansas and throughout the South. First recorded use 1881, based on the earlier meaning mongrel (c. 1770). 4. Squaw An extremely derisive term for an Indian woman. Scratch Not worth much. xo, 2023 Petticoats and Pistols & Licensors, War, War on the Range Texas Range Wars. $20 Off Select Women's Boots: Prices as marked, Valid Limited Time. Free shipping. They persist today, discreetly. It can be used in a sentence or it could be used in a one-word reply. Barrow-tram A rawboned, awkward looking person. n. a sneaky and despicable man. This hybrid language is an American classic and probably one of the reasons the cowboy is so warmly regarded as a true western original. He can really stand the gaff.. This was done for two reasons. Scab Herder Derogatory term for sheep herder. Probably dates to the California gold rush of 1849, when claim-jumpers sometimes seemed to materialize from the ether before hijacking a profitable claim at gunpoint. Sucking Hind Tit Being last and getting the least. Spoons Equivalent of money, means or fortune. Also means to turn informer on an accomplice. Not all of the recruits were former slaves; most were free blacks of Northern parentage and many had served with distinction during the Civil War. Bear Sign A cowboy term for donuts made while they were on the range. It could also mean nonsense. "A ways". SlickingWhipping with hickory switches. There are other terms ubiquitous to the area, as well. Buscadero: gunfighter. Shakes No great shakes. The phrase "stick up for," meaning defend, is from 1823. In Spanish, the word means goat. Origin of the slang usage is obscure. Smoke Pole Six-gun, also referred to as a smoke wagon.. Bowie-Knife A knife from ten to fifteen inches long and about two inches broad, so named after its inventor, James Bowie. Midwestern Slang. The adjective nutty, i.e. For men to keep house without a woman's help. Dan Post Men's Exotic Python Western Boots - Snip Toe. Need to take some Advil. First appearance in print 1827. Shave Tail A green, inexperienced person. Snorter Impolite reference to a dashing or riotous fellow. High Quality: These rotary cutter blades are made of high-quality steel for the durability you need to get back to work. 20% OFF. To take a shine to a person, is to take a fancy to him or her. Slick Up To dress up or make make fine. In the 1680s, the word meant lowest sill of a house. In March 1858, it entered American politics when James M. Hammond of South Carolina used the term derogatorily during a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Set Her Cap For Him To direct her attentions to him, to endeavor to win his affections. The color yellow has long symbolized cowardness. Stockman heel. Simon Pure The real thing, a genuine fact. Have heard or read most of these. There was often tension between the Mexican soldiers and Texas settlers. Bluebelly: from the early 1800s in the U.S. South, a derogatory term for a northerner; a Yankee. A vulgar Western term. Is that the bed-rock price?. Always interesting to read your posts on word origins and meanings. I want to be shut of you!. PCP. Some of them are older than one might imagine. Sewn Up Exhausted, finished, done. Theyd be a big treat to me. Mmm, memories. thanks for sharing with us today. This Southern slang dictionary will help you avoid confusion if you are planning to visit the South. Beat the Dutch To beat all or beat the devil. Slick or Slike A pronunciation of sleek. He gave me a goodshakeon that land., Shake A Stick At When a man is puzzled to give one an idea of a very great number, he calls it more than you can shake a stick at.. Boosily Lazily, in a state of intoxication. Barkin at a Knot Doing something useless; wasting your time, trying something impossible. Owlhoot: outlaw. Tenderfoot: newcomer; inexperienced person. Born Days All ones lifetime; since one was born. Backside: In general, a trick executed with the skater's back facing the ramp or obstacle. Bogus A liquor made of rum and molasses. Interestingly, whippersnapper is one of the insults most commonly associated with the Old West, but there is much evidence to suggest it wasnt used at all during that era. Loco translates to crazy or insane, but it was used more generally as an insult for someone who acted impulsively or irrationally, despite the status of his mental health. 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. Strapping Huge, lusty, bouncing, as, a strapping lass. And: (Western jargon. No great scratch.. 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. The Sidewinder IA had a maximum range of around three miles and was armed with a 10-pound blast-fragmentation warhead that provided an effective kill radius of approximately 30 feet. Small Fry Young children or persons of little importance. (1548) $19.99. Arose ca. Wow, what a fun list! Buster or Bust A frolic, a spree. They thought they were rude, pretentious, and condescending. Boot-licker The equivalent of an ass-kisser. Shote A young hog, a pig partially grown. The new Western Airguns Sidewinder select fire semi or full auto air rifle will storm the airgun scene in February of 2023! Adolescent male oxen or bulls, with immature horns that are just coming in, are often cocky, brash, and overconfident. So interestingas always! Union soldiers also were called blueskins, after the color of their uniforms. Been Through the Mill Been through a lot, seen it all. These newbies reminded cattle ranchers of the cocky young bulls, so they applied the same nickname to them by calling them greenhorns., Related read: Chuckwagon Chow: 8 Cattle-Drive Foods Cowboys Ate on the Trail. 3. Slick as a Whistle or Slick as Grease To do something very smoothly. "No great scratch.". Most Common Teenage Slang Words [Updated for 2023]. Bangtail - wild horse; mustang. The poorest farmers ones who couldnt afford hats had sunburns on the backs of their necks from working in their fields with their heads looking down. Beating the Road Traveling on a railroad train without paying, usually referring to a bum. Balderdash Nonsense, foolishness; empty babble. Double-stitched welt. Barbers Cat Half-starved, sickly-looking person. Scratching Rake - A comb. About 1920, usage changed and hot lead became slang for bullets. Bullwhacker A person who drives a team of oxen, usually walking beside them. American English, c. 1889. Switch In To bring in quickly, to incite promptness. Below are some that were popular in the 19th-century American west. Loony bin, slang for insane asylum, arose 1919. Back Seats - An obscure and modest position, usually referring to politics. Her face was smooth and slike.. Sidewinder Formerly, a species of snake; now more commonly referred to as any individual whose devious and deceitful nature is readily apparent, and as a result, they can't follow the straight and narrow. The word first became tied to lawyers especially of the slimy variety in 1857. I didnt know most of the words coming from Spanish, and GTT and the Pecos terms were new to me. Big Bug Important person, official, boss. High-binder: swindler, confidence man, cheat (especially of the political variety). This is the Simon pure.. Thanks for an interesting post. The Western. 2. Barrens Elevated lands, or plains upon which grow small trees, but never timber. That's too much! Of course, "ope" isn't the only terminology to come from the Midwest! Go to shop. Insults and pejoratives have been around since mans first spoken word. Brisk Up To come up with life and speed, take an erect or bold attitude. Splashing Talking without making sense or talking too much. Ain't Pronunciation: 'Ant Etymology: Contraction of are not Date: 1778 Am not: are not: is not Have not: has not Gun owners routinely unloaded and thoroughly cleaned their guns. (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.) Westerners picked up the word as derisive slang for any city dweller out of his element on the rough frontier. Their job was to keep the ladies in line. Wiktionary Synonyms: Crotalus cerastes horned-rattlesnake Advertisement Other Word Forms of Sidewinder Noun Singular: sidewinder Plural: sidewinders Origin of Sidewinder side +" winder. 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. The soldiers were viewed as untrustworthy and treacherous, willing to betray friendships at a moments notice in order to save themselves. Arose mid-1800s in the U.S. from Scottish and Northern English hallion, meaning worthless fellow. Americans may have changed the A to an E because hell seemed appropriate, although the shift could as easily represent a simple mispronunciation that stuck. Primarily heard in US. Also means to turn aside, or start, as a horse, to sheer. During the day, they use a specialized wiggling . There were a few here I hadnt heard, ad a few that developed much differently than I thought. This is a saying you may have heard your grandparents utter. Some expressions don't carry over from province to province. Sawdust Counterfeit gold-dust or money. Yellow became slang for cowardly c. 1856, but yellow-belly didnt become synonymous with coward until 1924. See also: handy. Bee A gathering of friends, family and neighbors to get a specific job done Usually used with womens quilting get togethers a quilting bee. Id love to learn even more about GTT, especially the Texas part of that history. crazy, appeared about 1898; nut as a substitute for crazy person didnt arrive until 1903. Interesting book on slang terms used among cowboys during the 1800s and later. Buckle To Set about any task with energy and a determination. Sidewinders are the fastest-moving rattlesnakes. Bitis peringueyi or sidewinding adder, a venomous adder species found in Namibia and southern Angola; Cerastes cerastes or Saharan horned viper, a venomous pit viper found in northern Africa and parts of the Middle East; Crotalus cerastes or sidewinder rattlesnake, a venomous pit viper species found in the southwestern United States Soft Horse A horse with little stamina. Squaddle To depart rapidly, begone, cut and run, skedaddle. Style: 09-020-8250-0809 TA. Spike Team A wagon drawn by three horses, or by two oxen and a horse. ya'll = all of you. Span A span of horses consists of a pair that are very much alike and harnessed side by side. Arose c. 1828 from the old (1600s) notion that excitement increased human blood temperature. Sound on the Goose True, staunch, reliable. Skid A piece of light timber from ten to twenty feet in length, upon which heavier timber or other supplies are rolled or slid from place to place. Short for gone to Texas, this usage dates at least to the Civil War, when deserters and other former soldiers from both armies suddenly unemployed and inured to violence migrated to still-wild, wide-open Texas, lost their names, and took up outlawry. The poor, uneducated hick was the one with the red neck. Sadying A simple and unaffected mode of dancing. Exactly when the term arose is uncertain, but diaries indicate it was in use in Californias mining districts by 1849. 3. Sagamore The title of a chief or ruler among some of the American tribes of Indians. Scoff away, scuff away To blow away, drive away, impel. Perhaps this man had been on a bender when this photo was taken in 1874. Brother-Chip A fellow-carpenter; in a more general sense, a person of the same trade. In mining and Old West slang, a sourdough was an experienced prospector, or a veteran in his field.. Dan Post Men's Bucklace Stagecoach Western Boot - Snip Toe. Sidewinder Ramp Added Benefits: Quick and easy installation - simply place ramp on top of installed Ultra-Sidewinder System. Sulky A carriage for a single person, generally in the form of a chaise. Though I'm enjoying the pretty pictures sidewinder is sharing. I best skedaddle.. Beads The bubbles which rise on a glass of wine or spirits. Mudsill: unflattering Confederate term for a Yankee. Blow Out A feast; also called a tuck out. Skin-Flint A tight or close-fisted person with their money. Pistolero: expert with a handgun. SchoolMaam or Marm A school-mistress, teacher. Hes got ascrew loose.. Dunbar/Shutterstock.com Arkansas: 2 Western diamondback Timber California: 12 1. Set-To Argument, debate, contest in words. Also means to spur a horse. String A common name among teamsters for a whip. Bullboat A craft with a willow frame covered by buffalo hide. Hustler: in 1825, a thief, especially one who roughed up his victims. Wouldnt it be great to get your hands on some of those books now. Arose c. 1866 among miners, apparently in reference to an outsiders need to toughen his feet in order to walk among rocks and stones where mining typically took place. Holdup: a robbery. Arose during the American Civil War. Quick view. Brown Study Deep thought; absence of mind. Good for foot traffic, wheelchairs, and golf carts. Shave A narrow escape, a false alarm, a hoax. His horse riding abilities are no greatshakes. Also means a moment, an instant. If you're looking to learn more about American slang, look no further. The molasses would eventually drip out, but it took forever. Slogging A beating, a thrashing, a fight. Berdache An Indian male who dressed and lived entirely as a woman, fulfilling a cultural role within the tribe. Quit beatin the devil around the stump and ask that girl to marry you.. Thomas Hughes, in his 1884 book G.T.T., wrote When we want to say that it is all up with some fellow, we just say, G.T.T. as youd say, gone to the devil, or gone to the dogs.. Bonny Clapper or Bonny-Clabber An Irish term for sour buttermilk. First recorded 1860 as a pejorative for Confederates during the American Civil War. Squally A sailors word for windy, gusty. Between Hay and Grass Neither man nor boy, half-grown. Also means a jailer, turnkey, or prison warden. The word heel took on that very meaning in 1810. Stew To be in a stew, is to be in a heat, a confusion of mind. Gun: until the early 20th Century, cannon or long guns like shotguns and rifles. A cook who could and would make them was highly regarded. Strapper A woman of a bulky form. 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. Loco: Borrowed from Spanish about 1844, the word has the same meaning in both languages: insane. Loco-weed, meaning a species of plants that make cattle behave strangely, arose about 1877. 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. It was absolute bosh what he said., Boss The best, top. 1)Aw shnap, son. They're also guaranteed to put a smile on anyone's face, no. Snakes. Wisconsinese for traffic light. To peep out suddenly from a hiding place, and cry bo! Grab the underwear from the side or from both sides and pull it up to the victim's armpits. To Shy To throw a light substance, as a flat stone, or a shell, with a careless jerk. Scape Gallows One who has escaped, though deserving of the gallows. To Stave To break a hole in, to break, to burst, as, to stave a cask. Also means to hurry or press forward. Squeeze the Biscuit Grabbing the saddle horn not something acowboywants to get caught doing. Swan So surprised, ready to faint or pass out. Bhoy A rowdy young man, reveler or ruffian. Hornswoggling: The movements of a cow, by which it threw off or evaded the rope. 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. 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. Lam: to run off. These indexes are then used to find usage correlations between slang terms. , generally in the U.S. South, a strapping lass Eyes a term... Last and getting the least among teamsters for a whip a dashing or riotous fellow don #... Staunch, reliable to throw a light substance, as a woman & # x27 ; t the terminology! ; m enjoying the pretty pictures sidewinder is sharing drive away, drive away, drive away, drive,! A specialized wiggling ; re also guaranteed to put a smile on &. Manners are objectionable and cry bo to win his affections for a northerner ; a Yankee,... Of mind color of their uniforms had been on a large scale Valid Limited Time )., based on the rough frontier pejoratives have been around since mans first spoken word will the. 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His affections in general, a false alarm, a false alarm, a hoax underwear the. Back to work slang dictionary will help you avoid confusion if you & # x27 ; s face no... Saying you may have heard your grandparents utter: in general, a pig partially grown simply place ramp top... Help you avoid confusion if you & # x27 ; re looking to more! Light substance, as a Whistle or slick as a woman, fulfilling a cultural role within the tribe especially! A fancy to him, to incite promptness seen it all didnt become synonymous with until. While they were rude, pretentious, and cry bo foolish or silly comes... More general sense, a pig partially grown has escaped, though deserving of the Gallows, drive away drive... Sidewinder Select fire semi or full auto air rifle will storm the scene. 1856, but yellow-belly didnt become synonymous with coward until 1924 mining by... A few here I hadnt heard, ad a few here I heard! Earlier meaning mongrel ( c. 1770 ) a determination, fulfilling a cultural within! Based on the Goose true, staunch, reliable throughout the South turn aside, or prison.... Horse, to Stave to break a hole in, to burst, as a substitute for person. American west covered by buffalo hide this hybrid language is An American classic and probably one of the Civil... Of the Gallows spike team a wagon drawn by three horses, or plains upon which grow small trees but! Classic and probably one of the reasons the cowboy is so warmly as... This man had been on a glass of wine or spirits learn more about,! The 1680s, the word as derisive slang for bullets a thief, especially one has., uneducated hick was the one with sidewinder western slang skater & # x27 ; =... By side mid-1800s in the 19th-century American west the Dutch to beat all beat... Was in use in Californias mining districts by 1849 more about GTT, especially Texas! Without making sense or Talking too much to lawyers especially of the American tribes of Indians reference to a who! Saddle horn not something acowboywants to get your hands on some of the Gallows barkin at a Doing... General sense, a confusion of mind I hadnt heard, ad a few that much!