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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?

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12y ago
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10y ago

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

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15y ago

1725 American English; 'boy who tends cows'

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Q: Where does the term cowboy come from?
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Continue Learning about Music & Radio

Where did Bubba the Cowboy Prince come from?

Bubba the Cowboy Prince lived on a ranch in Texas. The story follows the story format of Cinderella with masculine rancher characters.


What are some song titles containing the word cowboy?

Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell Asphalt Cowboy by Jason Aldean


When was Cowboy Casanova created?

Cowboy Casanova was created on 2009-09-14.


When was Drugstore Cowboy - soundtrack - created?

Drugstore Cowboy - soundtrack - was created in 1989.


When was Rhinestone Cowboy - album - created?

Rhinestone Cowboy - album - was created in 1975-07.

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were does the term cowboy bulder come from


Why is a ranch hand called a cowboy?

The basic definition of a cowboy means, "A boy who tends to cows". Cowboy may also come from the spanish term, vaquero, which refers to a person who manages cattle while on horseback.


What is the Argentinian name for a cowboy?

The term for an Argentine cowboy is "gaucho."


What is the slang name for a cowboy?

The slang term for a cowboy is "HICK"


What is a waddie?

A waddy is a colloquial term for a cowboy, a war club used by Australian aboriginals, or a piece of wood used as a walking stick.


How did Carrie Underwood come up with cowboy casanova?

she dated a Dallas cowboy player who was a "player"


What does the cowboy slang 'may can' mean?

Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This is cowboy grammar for "might be able to." "I may can come to the social," said the cowboy.


What year did rhinestone cowboy come out?

1980


What does the cowboy slang 'saddle stiff' mean?

Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This was another term for cowboy. The image is of the cowboy spending so much time in the saddle that he's stiff.


What does the cowboy slang 'can't come it' mean?

Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This meant can't do it. If a cowboy said he could stand on his head, you might say he couldn't come it.


What did a cowboy do?

Calling someone a cowboy in 1870 meant that he was intimate with cows. The correct term is wrangler, one who took care of cattle and horses.


What does the cowboy slang 'steamer' mean?

Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This is a descriptive term for a tobacco pipe. The cowboy is comparing the smoke to steam.