To Look Blue At Someone – To look at one with displeasure or dissatisfaction.īlue Devils – Dispirited. Also means to turn informer on an accomplice.īlow Out – A feast also called a tuck out. More Terms, Expanded Definitions + Reverse Lookup + More Picturesīlazes – Euphemism for hell or the devil.īlow – To taunt to ridicule. “I’ll have none of your blather.”īlatherskite – A blustering, noisy, talkative fellow. Probably derived from the names of the two leading show promoters – William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody and Gordan William “Pawnee Bill” Lillie.īime-By – By-and-by, soon, in a short time.īishop – An appendage to a lady’s wardrobe, more commonly called a bustle.īlack – To look black at one is to look at one with anger or deep resentment.īlacksmithing – Pimping for a prostitute.īlarney – Stories, flattery, tall tales, idle discourse.īlather – Impudence. It was 16 pounds unloaded, with three-quarter inch, 120-grain black powder cartridges loaded for differing ranges.īiggest Toad in the Puddle – The most important person in a group.īiggity – Large, extravagant, grand, hauty.īig Guns – Men of importance, great people.īig Nuts to Crack – A difficult or large undertaking.īill Show – A Wild West show. 50 caliber Sharps rifle used by professionals for buffalo hunting. “He’s one of the railroad big bugs.”īig Figure – To do things on on a large scale.īig Fifty – A. Also used to refer to a nagging or complaining woman.īig Bug – Important person, official, boss. Also called a “dream book” or a “prayer book.”īible Bump – A bump (or cyst) on the wrist or hand that old timers say would disappear if whacked by a large book – such as the bible.īiddy – Hen. “There’s a dance Saturday, so put on your best bib and tucker.”īetterments – The improvements made on new lands, by cultivation and the erection of buildings.īetty – A pear-shaped bottle wound around with straw which contains Italian olive oil.īetween Hay and Grass – Neither man nor boy, half-grown.ī’hoys – Noisy young men of the lower ranks of society.īible – A small packet of papers used to roll cigarettes. They persist today, discreetly.īest Bib and Tucker – Wearing your best clothes. Understood as following a vision by most Indians, they were not tolerated by whites. They might be givers of sacred names leaders of ceremonial dances visionaries and predictors of the future matchmakers etc. Common among the tribes of the Americas, these men-women had social and religious powers. Sometimes called in Indian languages a “would be woman” and sometimes thought of as a third sex. Cheap whiskey was sometimes called benzene.īerdache – An Indian male who dressed and lived entirely as a woman, fulfilling a cultural role within the tribe. Later, and now, also used to describe someone on a drinking binge.īenzinery – A low-grade drinking place. Perhaps this man had been on a “bender” when this photo was taken in 1874.īender – Initially referred to a spree or a frolic. “He’s been known to bend an elbow with the boys.” (This came from killing a cow for food.) “ Doc Holiday beefed a man today.”īeef Tea – Shallow water where cows have stood.īeen Through the Mill – Been through a lot, seen it all.ī’hoy – A rowdy young man, reveler or ruffian.īend an Elbow – Have a drink. “Is that the bed-rock price?”īee – A gathering of friends, family and neighbors to get a specific job done Usually used with women’s quilting get togethers – a quilting bee.īeef – To kill. “He got over here in the twinkling of a bed-post.”īed-rock – Not able to go lower. “Quit beatin’ the devil around the stump and ask that girl to marry you.”īed Ground – Where cattle are held at night.īed-post – A moment, an instant, jiffy. “It was rainin’ to beat the Dutch.”īeat the Devil around the Stump – To evade responsibility or a difficult task. A cook who could and would make them was highly regarded.īeating the Road – Traveling on a railroad train without paying, usually referring to a bum.īeat the Dutch – To beat all or beat the devil. Barkin’ at a Knot – Doing something useless wasting your time, trying something impossible.īarnum – “To talk Barnum” is to not indulge in extravagant, hugh falutin’ talk, but talks in a quiet manner.īarrens – Elevated lands, or plains upon which grow small trees, but never timber.īarrow-tram – A rawboned, awkward looking person.īatting His Eyes – A gambler’s term for men who look on but don’t play.īattlin’ Stick – A stick to stir clothes in the wash pot.īeads – The bubbles which rise on a glass of wine or spirits.īear Sign – A cowboy term for donuts made while they were on the range.
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