Old West Words and Phrases

[Delmonico]

Thats right it's a strip of tissue down the back.

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

You should all know what two bits, four bits, six bits, etc. are.  What is a "short bit"?

A preferred piece of buffalo meat was called "Indian Bread", and was eaten raw by both Native Americans and buffalo hunters, but didn't taste like raw meat.  It allegedly tasted much like freshly baked bread.  Where on the buffalo carcass was this desirable cut located?

Don't want these to get lost.  Still need answers for both.

Hamp

[HandTub]

i'll take a gander and say the tongue
  Hamp

[litl rooster]

You should all know what two bits, four bits, six bits, etc. are.  What is a "short bit"?
A DIME?

A preferred piece of buffalo meat was called "Indian Bread", and was eaten raw by both Native Americans and buffalo hunters, but didn't taste like raw meat.  It allegedly tasted much like freshly baked bread.  Where on the buffalo carcass was this desirable cut located?

I believe it is the backstraps or Loins, is this also called the "sweetmeat" I also believe in the Lonesome dove Trilogoy, Deadman's walk, there  is a reference to it.

Hitting the bottle with a shot and leaving nothing but the bottom?.....Buck

You're only about 180 degrees out, Buck.  Here's how "bottomin' the bottle" worked.  You place an empty uncorked/uncapped whisky bottle on an approximately shoulder high flat surface about 15' (or if you're really good with a handgun or really optimistic, make it 20' ) from wlhere you're going to shoot.  The bottle is positioned on it's side (remember spin the bottle?) in such a manner that you will be attempting to shoot through the open end of the neck and take out the bottom of the bottle without shattering the neck and body of the bottle.   To add some contemporary guidance, make sure you are shooting into a safe backstop, and wear eye and hearing protection if you attempt this, and be sure to clean up the broken glass .

I'm with Buck (eyes) on that one but what the heck I'll try it this weekend

Don't want these to get lost.  Still need answers for both.

Hamp

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

Thats right it's a strip of tissue down the back.

You never cease to amaze me, Del .  Here's what I had:

"The meat was located under the hide and along the backbone from shoulder to the last rib.  It was made up of very thin layers of what was called 'dry fat' and very lean meat that wasn't the least bit greasy.  The meat was either eaten by itself or used as you would use bread."

litl rooster was right on with his answer to "You should all know what two bits, four bits, six bits, etc. are.  What is a "short bit"?

A DIME?

[Silver Creek Slim]

buffalo juice - rendered buffalo suet?

Slim

Fraid not, Slim.  It is liquid found in the buffalo's paunch "cleared by the gall, that is prized for drinking, it is cool and tasteless".  Understand that Native Americans and buffalo hunters both utilized this source of liquid refreshment when other water sources were unavailable.

Now that ya said it, I remember I reference to it the the Buffalo Hunters book I read about a month back.

Slim

[Silver Creek Slim]

I came upon this term in a book I'm reading. Yes, I can read. 
Galvanized Yankees -

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

I came upon this term in a book I'm reading. Yes, I can read. 
Galvanized Yankees -

I know, but I ain't tellin' (yet)

[Silver Creek Slim]

I came upon this term in a book I'm reading. Yes, I can read. 
Galvanized Yankees -

I know, but I ain't tellin' (yet)

Okay. 

Slim

[litl rooster]

I came upon this term in a book I'm reading. Yes, I can read.
Galvanized Yankees -

I live in civil war history country but have never heard that term other than Damn Yankee

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

droop-eyed calves

(and don't forget Slim's Galvanized Yankees)

[Russ T Chambers]

droop-eyed calves

Calves that have had the eyelid muscles cut so they can't see to follow their mom.  Done to 'em by rustlers mainly.

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

droop-eyed calves

Calves that have had the eyelid muscles cut so they can't see to follow their mom.  Done to 'em by rustlers mainly.

Good answer, Russ T.  We musta gone to different schools together .

[litl rooster]

droop-eyed calves

Calves that have had the eyelid muscles cut so they can’t see to follow their mom.  Done to ‘em by rustlers mainly.

This is kind a oxy moron statement, I understand now were talking calves and rustlers...Any self respectin' cowpoke knows if ya got the calf, on the end of your twine, the cow will follow. This being easier than leading the cow and have the calf follow.

So what is a lopped eared calf...This is kind of a cracker cowboy term

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

horse puller

and litl rooster's "So what is a lopped eared calf...This is kind of a cracker cowboy term" is still up for grabs.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Galvanized Yankees
http://www.historic-america.com/galv.html

Slim

[litl rooster]

(and don't forget Slim's Galvanized Yankees)

Okay I'm a damn Yankee and had to cheat and look it up on Google...Members of the 34th Miss. Inf. that were captured at Lookout Mt. Tn.

Hauled off to prison in Il. then recruited to go west and fight the Indians.


Southern Cowboys call the exotic cattle Bramha's especially,Lop eared. Because of there long drooping ears. When you ride thru a heard with a few in the cold wet season, checking health, a inexperianced cowboy might think they are sick.

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

horse puller

This one gotcha buffaloed?


Good info on the "lop eared" line.  Gotta remember that one.

[litl rooster]

horse puller

This one gotcha buffaloed?

Is this one also known as the 'Jingler"?

[Capt. Hamp Cox]

horse puller

This one gotcha buffaloed?

Is this one also known as the 'Jingler"?

Don't know 'bout "Jingler", but the "Horse Puller" I'm referring to was a cowboy who traveled with livestock on a train.  Also called a "Bull Nurse".