Old West Lingo, Wisdom, and other BS
Old West Lingo, Wisdom, and other BS
Growing up, I loved to hear my grandpa Dale (Pappy) Patton and other relatives spin their tales of yesteryear and the days of old. I was quiet as a creep-mouse as I listened to the wisdom, lingo, and of course the BS from the Old West. It was an extraordinary time, even magical, listening about cowboys, horses, cattle, ranches, wolves, Indians, outlaws, and yes even the soil doves of their times. Those tales and tall-tales had the power to pull me into a realm of dust, danger, and dreams. As I got older, I had inherited this flare for the telling of a story, tall-tale, and poetry. I had learned the art of storytelling from some of the best that the world has never heard of.
When you are watching a western movie or reading an old west novel did you ever wonder what some words mean? Have you ever come across letters or manifests from long dead kin you never heard of and read them? The words can be strange and also the context. Hopefully, this book can help in that regard.
From the horror of the Civil War, to the settling of the American West – pioneers, cowboys, soldiers, miners, gamblers, painted ladies, schoolmarms, and countless others developed their own lingo. These hardy and adventurous folks often used words, terms, and phrases hard to understand today. Yet, some of their lingo remains still in everyday language.
I write fictional adventure novels, and take a lot of pride in my research of old west history, geography, and the language. I prefer my heroes to be more educated, even if it means that they got their “schoolin” from books they carried in their saddlebags. My research comprises of old period newspapers, books, old letters from my relatives, and Google. It is my hope what you find in the pages that follow will be informative, interesting, and sometimes humorous. Even if you’re not looking for a definition, you’ll get a gander into the romance, charm, and character of the fast disappearing vistas of the American West.
What folks are saying:
5 Star review on Amazon: – Dan M.
A poet and novelist, Kurt writes Western fiction and historical adventure with grit, realism, and heart. His work has been featured by the Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS, and praised for capturing the spirit of the Old West in vivid, cinematic detail.
Author of more than twenty books, Kurt’s acclaimed Rocky Mountain Series brings the frontier to life through powerful storytelling and unforgettable landscapes. His upcoming novels—Reifschneider Stagecoach Detective and Winter of the Wolf Moon—continue that legacy.
Kurt James is a proud member of the Western Writers of America.
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Sounds like an interesting and fun book to read, and one to add to a collection. I love to study the vernacular, jargon, lingo, and colloquialism of different locales and unique folks. I often make use of an appropriate vernacular in stories to define my characters and their culture or way of life. Well done on this special book, Kurt, which will not only be fun to read but will be a useful educational tool.
Thanks Phyllis it was actually a fun book to put together….
You sure have found your perfect niche, Kurt with your (Western) fiction adventure novels, and this book would be a great accompaniment to help follow the slang and jargon sometimes used. I’m impressed by the amount if time You must spend on research.
Thanks John – I do take pride in my research and history of what I write about – Hope all is well with you.
Very nice. That looks like I book I want to own. Great job and congratulations! Jamie
Thanks Jamie –