Where does the term cowboy come from?

Answer 1

It actually first comes from African American workers herding cattle and mainly cows, giving them the term cowboys. What first seemed like a term of condescension became what it is today. Nothing in the English language or in America for that matter is what it seems. For example the American flag is actually based off the East Indie Trade flag whose main purpose was to transfer slaves to America, we represent such great things don't we?

Answer 2

In the early 1700's it simply referred to a 'boy who tended cows'. Later the word described a man who tended cattle on a ranch and went about most of his work on horseback. These skills were then connected to rodeo riders known as cowboys

Answer 3

1725 American English; 'boy who tends cows'