The word 'shootist'.

[mike highgate]

Did the word 'shootist' exist in the 19th century? It sounds made-up to me - but I may be wrong.

[River City John]

Yes. Most assuredly it IS a 19th cent. word.

I believe it was either Clay Allison or John Wesley Hardin had a business card made up that touted themselves as a "Shootist".

I'm not sure of the above, though, so one of our more knowledgeable Pards will help me out.

[Will Ketchum]

It was Clay Ellison.  He often referred to himself as "A Shootist".


Will Ketchum

[Will Ketchum]

Robert Clay Allison

Ellison? Allison?  I get you guys all mixed up

You know I knew it was "Allison" but I have just been hanging around you so long I just typed it wrong.

He was quite a study and a real head case.  Not someone you would want to be around when he was in his cups

Will Ketchum

[mike highgate]

Thanks guys. I'm happy to see the word has a history.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Now go look up the origins of "cowboy". 

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Now go look up the origins of "cowboy". 

[French Jack]

Strange, how the word "Cowboys" in original context referred to cattle thieves, and later, "Rustler" was used.  There must have been some P.R. agent at work!

[Fox Creek Kid]

I believe the word "cowboy" was not penned until the 1890's. There are a few fleeting references to "cow boys" before that but the general term was "waddy" I believe. Jump in here if anyone knows different.

[French Jack]

The word was used during the Rev. War by the British referring to the cow herders who attempted to drive the cattle from Long Island to prevent them falling into the British hands.  Failing in that, they stole cattle from the British in order to deprive them of any food.  The British called them "Cowboys".

[Will Ketchum]

I thought the term "cowboys" came along from when the first Texas herds made it to Kansas, the town folks asked if they were rowdies and one in his this South Texas drawl answered no Mam we are a bunch of "choirboys" and he was misunderstood to have said cowboys and the name stuck.......

Will Ketchum

[Digger]

I thought the term "cowboys" came along from when the first Texas herds made it to Kansas, the town folks asked if they were rowdies and one in his this South Texas drawl answered no Mam we are a bunch of "choirboys" and he was misunderstood to have said cowboys and the name stuck.......

Will Ketchum

That sounds like one of those things that ought to be true whether it is or not.


Digger

[Dutch Limbach]

cow⋅boy
–noun 1. a man who herds and tends cattle on a ranch, esp. in the western U.S., and who traditionally goes about most of his work on horseback.
2. a man who exhibits the skills attributed to such cowboys, esp. in rodeos.
3. Chiefly Northeastern U.S. a reckless or speedy automobile driver.
4. Informal. a reckless or irresponsible person, esp. a show-off or one who undertakes a dangerous or sensitive task heedlessly: They put foreign policy in the hands of cowboys. 
5. (during the American Revolution) a member of a pro-British guerrilla band that operated between the American and British lines near New York City.
–verb (used without object) 6. to work as a cowboy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin:
1715–25; cow 1 + boy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

[Tjackstephens]

Robert Andrew 'Clay' Allison born Sept. 2, 1840 near Waynesboro,TN. Severed in the Confederate Army. Was a scout and spy for Nathan Belford Forrest. After the war he and his family settled in the Brazo Valley of Texas. When asked what was his profession, his reply 'I am a SHOOTIST'. TJ

[Daniel Nighteyes]

I believe the word "cowboy" was not penned until the 1890's. There are a few fleeting references to "cow boys" before that but the general term was "waddy" I believe. Jump in here if anyone knows different.

There were many names used, including "drover", "ranch hand", "trail hand" and more.

(Some of my ancestors called 'em "targets.")   

[River City John]

For some reason I thought Teddy Roosevelt was responsible for re-popularizing the term 'cowboys' in general usage after he wrote about his experience ranching on the Northern plains.. . . .

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

Daniel,  We of the Cherokee, concur!  There were also other terms touted concerning these folks but none that I know can be printed.

[Daniel Nighteyes]

Daniel,  We of the Cherokee, concur!  There were also other terms touted concerning these folks but none that I know can be printed.

Sheeyo, Cap'n Little!

[Stillwater]

I have read the term Cowboy, was originated in Old England, to mean young boys who herded cattle...

Bill

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

"Somewhere" I read that the term originated in Ireland, or was it the West Country?  Cows were driven to market by drovers on foot  right from the "beginning", whenever that was.