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COWBOY LINGO

Just like any other group, cowboys have their own special language. If you hang around the bunkhouse, the rodeo, or anyplace else cowboys gather, you may hear some of these words being used. See how often you can use them while talking to your pards.

BOOT HILL cemetery

DUDE city slicker

BROKE that a horse is gentle and ready to ride

HAND a ranch worker

BRONC an unbroken horse, or a horse that, though broke, is still a bit wild

HIGHTAIL to run off or get away fast

HOSS horse

BUCKAROO cowboy (from the Spanish word vaquero)

HUNG OFF a foot caught in the stirrup of the saddle

BUNKHOUSE living quarters for the cowboys working on a ranch

MAVERICK a stray, unbranded calf

MUSTANG wild horse

OUTFIT a ranch worker's or a cowboy's pickup truck

CATCH PEN a corral for holding cattle or horses

PARD partner, friend

RIDE THE LINE check the fences to fix any that are broken

RIG saddle

CORRAL fenced off area for livestock

SPREAD a ranch

COWBOY UP mount up and ride out, or grin and bear it

STOVE UP hurt, injured, or crippled cowboy

CRITTER cow or other animal

TRY effort ("Bill has a lot of try in him.")

CROW HOP a mini-buck; the horse rounds its back and hops

WRANGLER the cowboy who takes care of the horses

DOGIE an orphaned calf

DRAW a lottery that matches riders and animals at rodeo events

WRECK a riding accident