What are some cowboy terms

Whether you want to talk like a cowboy or simply know what those cowpokes are talking about, some cowboy terminology will come in handy.

Words

• Howdy: greeting.
• Adiós: Spanish for goodbye.
• Bronco: a wild horse.
• Bandana: a silk or cotton cloth used around the neck to prevent sunburn and protect from the wind.
• Cattle drive: the moving of a herd of cattle from the ranch to a meat-packing plant by way of rail.
• Trace: trail.
• Twine twirler: one who ropes calves or steers.
• Airtights: canned goods.
• Ball of mud: the Earth.
• Bamboozle: to trick.
• Buffalo chips: dried manure, from horse or livestock.
• Cavy: a horse herd.
• Bedroll: the bed of the cowboy, blankets rolled up with a tarp.
• Tack: horse gear.
• Tenderfoot/greenhorn: someone new to the cowboy life.
• Texas butter: beef gravy.
• Chuckwagon: the wagon where food and supplies were served and kept by the ranch cooks during drives and roundups.
• Filly: a young female horse.
• Jerky: dried meat strips.
• Mustang: a wild horse.
• Rawhide: untanned cattle skin.
• Roundup: the gathering of the cattle for a drive or branding.
• Stampede: a wild run of a spooked herd of livestock.
• Vaquero: a Mexican cowboy.
• Wrangler: one who takes care of the horses at the ranch or on a drive.
• Broke horse: a trained horse.
• Chuck: food.
• Cow boss: the one who is in charge of the ranch cattle.
• Cowman: a rancher who primarily raises cattle.
• Lead riders: the cowboys riding at the head of the herd.
• Drag rider: the cowboy riding at the end of the herd.
• Point rider: the cowboy riding ahead of the herd to lead the way.
• Swing riders: the cowboys who keep the body of the herd moving.
• Peeler: one who breaks horses.
• Ranahan: the top cowhand.
• Calaboose: jail.
• Rustler: a horse or cattle thief.
• Dogie: a calf, especially one whose mother has died.
• Goose-hair: cowboy pillow.
• Seago: a grass rope.
• Reata: a braided rope of rawhide.
• Cache: a hiding place.
• Arkansas toothpick: a long sharp knife.
• Corral: an enclosure for livestock.
• Saddle bum: a drifter.

Phrases

• Top a horse: to break a wild horse by riding it into submission.
• Bite the dust: hitting the ground after a fall.
• Build a loop: to prepare a piece of rope for lassoing.
• All to pieces: completely.
• Among the willows: evading the law.
• Savage as a meat axe: very, very savage.
• To see how the cat jumps: to find out how someone thinks, their secrets and plans.
• Sling your bunk: to go away.
• Slick up: to get dressed up fine.
• Squeeze the biscuit: to grab the saddle horn.