“That’ll be the day!” (Buddy Holly; John Wayne; Kellogg’s cereal)
"That'll Be the Day" was a 1957 hit song for Buddy Holly (1937-1959) of Lubbock, Texas. The inspiration for the song was the line "That'll be the day!" spoken several…
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“God first, family second, career third” (Mary Kay)
"God first, family second, career third" was a belief of Mary Kay Ash (1915-2001), the Dallas-based founder of the Mary Kay cosmetics company. Her third priority (career) certainly did…
Tenderfoot (or Tender Foot)
A "tenderfoot" (or "tender foot") is a "greenhorn" or a "pilgrim" -- someone new to the West, often fresh from the East. The name comes from someone new to…
Gunslinger (or Gun Slinger)
The "gunslinger" (or "gun slinger") is the legendary figure of the film western. The "gunslinger" term was not used in the 1800s, however; "gunman" (or…
Peacemaker (Colt revolver)
"The Peacemaker" was the name of an 1873 Colt revolver. It quickly became the most popular pistol in the west. Although "Peacemaker" is a curious name, "Peacemaker"…
Bola Tie (Bolo Tie)
The bola tie (or bolo tie; "bola" meaning ball) was declared the official neckwear of Arizona in 1971. In 2007, the Texas legislature had a proposal to make it the official necktie of…
Cowpuncher (or Cow Puncher)
A "cow puncher" (or "cowpuncher") is sometimes called a "cowpoke" or the usual "cowboy." The term "cow punch" was quite literal -- the cowboys…
“I’m like horse manure in a rodeo (i.e., everywhere)” (Liz Smith)
Liz Smith (1923-2017) a nationally syndicated gossip columnist. She's based in New York City, but she was born in Fort Worth, Texas and educated at the University of Texas (Austin). Every once…
Rodeo
"Rodeo" is Spanish for "round up." Pecos claims that it held the first "rodeo" (a spectator event as we know it today) on July 4, 1883. The claim is debated by other…
“Cowboy Up”
"Cowboy Up" became familiar to many in the East when Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Millar (who played college baseball at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas) used it as the rallying…
Snake Poison (whiskey)
"Snake poison" was an 1800s nickname for whiskey. It's easy to see why. There was a rumor that the only antidote for a snake bite was whiskey, so all the cowboys stocked up. Texas…
Partner; Pardner; Podner; Pard
"Partner" (as in "Howdy, Pardner!") is often written as spoken, as "pardner" or "podner" or "pard." These spellings are found in print from at…
Cowgirl (or Cow Girl)
The "cowboy" is famous, but there is also the "cowgirl" (or "cow girl"). The name "cowgirl" appears in print in the 1880s. Fort Worth has a National Cowgirl…
Judas Steer
The "Judas steer" was the one who helped the cowboys lead the other animals to their destruction in the stockyards. The terms dates from the 1800s cattle drives. Western Slang, Lingo…
Arbuckle (coffee)
Arbuckle's was a popular brand of coffee that was made in Pittsburgh (PA) after the Civil War. The coffee quickly became a favorite with cowboy cooks and so dominated the market that…
Cowpoke (or Cow Poke)
A cowpoke is another name for a cowboy. While "cow puncher" dates from the 1870s, "cow poke" did not become popular until the 1920s. "Cowpoke" is informal and almost…
Bear Sign (doughnuts)
"Bear sign" is a cowboy term for doughnuts. In the Pacific Northwest, "bear sign" means berry jam. "Bear sign" is first recorded from the 1830s to mean "bear…
Dead Man’s Hand
The "dead man's hand" is a two-pair poker hand that also appears in Texas hold 'em. The hand is widely believed to be aces and eights, but early citations show jacks and eights,…
“Whole kit and caboodle”
"The whole kit and caboodle" is an older expression for what we might nowadays say is "the whole nine yards" -- that is, "everything." In the 1800s, the phrase was…
“Between hay and grass”
"Between hay and grass" is said of the seasons, it being neither winter nor summer. It's also said of a young person, not a boy (or a girl) and not yet a man (or a woman). Old West…