Home     Introduction     Task     Process     Resources     Evaluation     Conclusion     Teacher's Page

Cowboy Cook's Vocabulary:
1. Cattle drive: The moving of a large group of cattle from one point to another that took at least a month in length.

2. Chuckwagon: the wagon, driven by the cook at round-up time and on trail drives, from which all of the meals were prepared and much of the equipment stored.

3. Cowboy: A young man, usually 17-25, that worked large numbers of cattle.

4. Dutch oven: A large heavy pot. Burning coals from the fire pit were placed under the Dutch oven and on top of the lid. Heat from the top and bottom helped to cook or bake the food evenly.

5. Keg: A wooden barrel where the sourdough starter was kept.

6. Sourdough: A type of bread or biscuit prepared without using commercial yeast. Many cowboy cooks were forced to make their own sourdough starter by allowing a mixture of flour and water to sour which resulted in the dough having a mildly sour flavor.

7. Trail Boss: The man hired to take charge of the men and the cattle during a trail drive. Each day he rode ahead of the herd in order to choose the best route for the cattle and the best place to bed down at night. Once the crew arrived at the cattle town, he was responsible for selling the cattle and paying the cowhands.

Cowboy Vocabulary:
1. Pants- sturdy canvas; brown, black or tan; Levi Strauss made denim jeans by importing material from France and dying it blue. Pants had one small waist pocket, or no pockets because it was difficult to reach items in the pockets and uncomfortable to sit in a saddle all day with them full. Belt loops were no added until much later, so suspenders had to hold the pants up y buttons sewn on the waistband.

2. Shirt- long sleeved, cotton or wool. This kept the arms protected and cool. Most had a button placket, but not all the way down; fewer buttons to lose and more comfortable when tucked in. Cowboys wore shirts buttoned up to the neck.
3. Vest- Because of the lack of pockets in shirts and pants, a vest gave the cowboy extra storage space for a watch, tobacco, a sweetheart's photo, and money. Usually made of wool, it gave an extra layer of warmth in the winter.

4. Boots- Made of tough leather, for protection of the feet and ankles, and for riding in a saddle. The narrow toe fit through the stirrup and the high heels kept the boot from sliding forward.

5. Hat- Adapted from the Spanish sombrero, the had had a wide brim, tall crown, and often a strap to hold it on. The hat was a tool to protect from the sun and rain, to gather water or food items, to fan a fire and to cover the cowboy's face while sleeping.

6. Chaps- Made of tough leather, they were worn for protection in rough country from rocks, branches, or the longhorns of cattle. They also offered a layer of warmth in the winter.

7. Gloves- Similar to the chaps, except for the hands. Offered protection from ropes, reins, hooves, and hot irons. The fringe was a fancy touch but also aided water in running off the glove. Cuffs gave extra protection and kept the sleeves clean.

8. Oil skin Coat or Duster- Either a lightweight duster or rain slicker, which was split up the back for a rider. It would be worn for extra protection from the wind, rain, duststorms, etc. A heavier coat would be worn in the winter. Contrary to what you see in the movies, cowboys didn't wear dusters while walking the streets for a showdown, or to look "cool." The dusters were cumbersome while walking, and were meant to be worn when riding to offer protection to both rider and horse.

9. Bandana- a large piece of cloth that seved a number purposes; to protect from dust, wind, rain, and sun; to wet and cool the neck; to chase flies away; to tie on hat in wind; as a bandage; as a water filter; or to add a flash of color when going to town. Silk or cotton were popular, in solids or calico prints.

10. Spurs and Quirt- Spurs were made of plain metal or fancy silver, with a large rowel to roll up and down the flank of the horse. The quirt was hand braided of leather, rawhide or horse hair. They were used to get the horses' attention. These items were especially useful when saddling and riding a stubborn horse first thing in the morning.

11. Lariat- called a reata, it was made of braided rawhide, then later manila hemp. Nowadays waxed nylon ropes are most common. The loop with the leather patch is called the "honda' and "burner." Roping skills were extremely important to a cowboy.

12. Saddlebags- The cowboys' luggage; a place to store food, utensils, extra clothing, pistol and bullets, medical supplies, tools and items for repairing equipment, books, money, maps, etc. Made of plain or tooled leather with metal buckles.

13. Canteen- it was a long, hot and dry distance between watering holes and often the water was contaminated or poisoned on purpose. A canteen held enough water for the cowboy and sometimes his horse. Canteens were made of metal, wood or animal skins covered with wool cloth or canvas.

14. Bedroll- tied behind the saddle during the day, it was a canvas covered blanket or quilt. It served as a mattress, clothes press and duffel bag while on the trail.

15. Carbine- a short rifle

16. Bridle- part of the tack or harness or a horse consisting of headstall, bit and reins.

17. Knife- an instrument used for cutting, consisting of a thin, sharp-edged metal blade fitted with a handle.

18. Saddle- a seat for a cowboy on the back of the horse.

Cattle Branding Vocabulary

More Sources

Carved Eggs Glossary of Cowboy Terms

The Panhandle Plains Historical Museum's List of Cowboy Terms