Old West Dictionary

The cowboy language featured in Western Words remains as vibrant today as it was in the old American frontier, with a rich inventory of 5,000 words. Within the cowman's figures of speech lies a unique, original, and full-flavored field of subtle humor and strength. Despite his usually limited education, the cowboy effortlessly squeezes the juice from language, molding it to suit his needs, and demonstrating a genius for turning anything into a verb. As the author notes, the cowboy "don't have to fish 'round for no decorated language to make his meanin' clear," and has little patience for those who "spouts words that run eight to the pound."

The strength and originality in the cowboy's speech may very well stem from the solitude, the nearness of the stars, the vastness of the country, and the distant horizons - all of which grant him the space to think clearly and delve into the depths of his own mind. After all, wide open spaces "don't breed chatterboxes." On his long and lonely rides, the cowboy is not forced to endure the scandal and idle gossip that can so often dwarf a man's mind. Quite frequently, he has no one to talk to but his trusty horse.

This rich, evocative language is a product of the cowboy's unique circumstances and experiences. Isolated from the distractions of populated areas, he is able to fully immerse himself in the rugged landscape and engage in a more profound exploration of his own thoughts and expressions. The author aptly observes that within the cowman's vernacular lies "the rich field of his subtle humor and strength-unique, original, full-flavored."

This linguistic vitality is a testament to the resilience and adaptive nature of the cowboy culture, which has managed to preserve its distinctive voice even as the frontier has given way to modern development. The words featured in Western Words serve as a window into a bygone era, allowing readers to glimpse the world through the eyes of the hardy individuals who carved out a life on the open range. In their speech, we catch a glimpse of the cowboy's unwavering spirit, his intimate connection with the land, and his determined individuality.

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