Old West Words and Phrases

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Beat the devil around the stump

Dicker

Offish

To beat the Dutch

[Delmonico]

beat the dutch is run

dicker is barterin'

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

beat the dutch is run

dicker is barterin'

One outta two beats none outta two.

Dicker ~ barter, trade.

Need to relook "To beat the Dutch".

Also need to give Beat the devil around the stump and Offish a shot.

[Wrangler Rich]

   I've enjoyed these posts more than you fellas can imagine.  Thanks,

[Delmonico]

Offish might be snobish.

[Frenchie]

From "Dr. Fogey's Lexicon of Civil War-Period Words & Expressions"

about right

above his bent

biddable

big bug

carry guts to a bear

cipher

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Offish might be snobish.

Offish ~ distant, reserved, aloof.

You've still got it (or at least a little bit of it) Del.  Guess "old Timer's hasn't creeped up on lyou yet.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Beat the devil around the stump

not taking responsibility for your actions

Slim

[Delmonico]

cipher in CW lingo would be code, in cowboy it's doin' math.

Big Bug in cowboy lingo is a lobster, they were startin' ta be shipped in on reefer cars, fer a price,

[Four-Eyed Buck]

You guys are sure passing me up! I bow to the more educated/experienced among you.......Buck

[Silver Creek Slim]

We'z not more edgamacated. We'z just know where to find the answers. 

Slim

[Delmonico]

Slim, I answer 90% out of my head, the others I know which book ta look in.  Remember I skeered of Mr. Google, he lead me astray one day.

[Russ T Chambers]

Yea!  More wildlife


carry guts to a bear  --  do something totally dumb or worthless.

[Frenchie]

cipher in CW lingo would be code, in cowboy it's doin' math.

Nope, it meant the same thing, "ciphering" was arithmetic. "Cypher" for coded messages is a later term.

Big Bug in cowboy lingo is a lobster, they were startin' ta be shipped in on reefer cars, fer a price,

During the War of the Rebellion, "big bug" meant an officer of higher rank than your company or regimental commanders. Only the soldiers from the coast (especially the New Englanders) had ever seen a whole lobster, but many had the chance to get canned lobster from the sutlers. It was one of the many delicacies looted from the supply trains at Manassas when "Old Blue Light" and his Stonewall Brigade came through in '62.

[Frenchie]

Yea!  More wildlife


carry guts to a bear  --  do something totally dumb or worthless.

Correct! Same meaning as "carrying coal to Newcastle". You didn't have to carry guts from slaughtered pigs and cows to a bear, he'd smell it and come looking :-)

Now how about the first three?

[Delmonico]

When the lights go on in Wrigley field they will be carryin' coals ta Newcastle.  One of radio's greats, Paul Harvey mentioned that the last coal mine had been shut down in Newcastle, so they are now carryin' coals ta Newcastle.  Next thing ya know gasoline will be cheaper than water,  Woops it is at my local fuel supplier.   

Wow a Civil War ren-actor that don't belive in just salt pork (always wrong when they do it, chect out post a ways down in this fourm on it.) hardtack and beans. 

I don't know if ya know but I sometimes sell my services as a ceevillian cook fer a Newbrasskey Milita outfit.  After rations are issued, a private is sent ta the sutler, for period items not issued, this comes outa company funds.  Was on a Sutler run once with a private and we almost conscriped a chicken.   Was a beutiful Rhode Island Red Rooster in someone's front yard, bet I coulda done somthin' with him.     We decided though, the ceevilians might complain ta the local town marshall and they would send the person in charge of law enforcement at that park after us.  Since that would be the local game warden I decided ta pass since I am on friendly terms with the fella.  But it would have been historically correct ta steal the chicken.

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Between hay and grass

Let slide/ let drive/ let fly

Hot as a w---rehouse on nickel night

Twig

[Russ T Chambers]

Between hay and grass

Let slide/ let drive/ let fly

Hot as a w---rehouse on nickel night

Twig

Let slide/ let drive/ let fly  --  Get on with it

[Delmonico]

tween hay and grass-ain't finished yet

hotter than a - rather busy


twig- to look at

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Between hay and grass

Let slide/ let drive/ let fly

Hot as a w---rehouse on nickel night

Twig

Let slide/ let drive/ let fly  --  Get on with it

Let slide/ let drive/ let fly ~ go ahead, let go. "If you think you want trouble, then let fly."

'Pears Russ T got hisself a nuther one.