Adams, Ramon F. (Ramon Frederick), 1889-1976. and Adams, Ramon F. (Ramon Frederick), 1889-1976.
Subjects
Cowboys -- Language.
Abstract
The cowboy was neither inarticulate nor verbose; he was the perfect example of action and expression, able to delineate his world by saying it as he saw it, while rapturously enjoying it to the hilt. In this learned and sympathetic account, the cowman and his cohorts are forever enshrined by the incomparable knowledge of Adams. There is one thing that about a man that stamps him for what he is--one thing that is harder to change than all the rest. That is his speech, for language is as close to a man as his blood. The picturesque speech of a cowboy grew out of the solitude, the nearness of the stars, the bigness of the country, and the far horizons. Never having the chance to "study the higher branches of information through book learnin'," the cowman forged his own language. Mental images were a part of his life, and it was natural for him to become a painter of word pictures. He has molded language to suit his own needs and is a genius at making a verb out of anything. He employs his words in the manner that best suits him, and arranges them in sequence that best expresses his ideas, untrammeled by tradition. When a tenderfoot hears this range vernacular, he is "surprised as a dog with his first porcupine." The more he listens, the more refreshing it becomes, because, "like a fifth ace in a poker deck," it is so unexpected. The present-day cowman speaks the same lingo as his earlier brother, and he will cling to this language as long as men handle cattle. Living in the tradition of men who ride semi-wild horses to work obstinate, unruly cattle, he will "never become so soft that he will pack a lunch, wear his sleeves rolled up, and say my gracious instead of goddam when he is mad" -- Book jacket.
Adams, Ramon F. (Ramon Frederick), 1889-1976. and Adams, Ramon F. (Ramon Frederick), 1889-1976.
Subjects
Cowboys -- West (U.S.), Ranch life -- West (U.S.), and Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.)
Abstract
"Here is everything about the real, ungilded, old-time cowhand, what he did, wore, thought. His horse, guns, rope, clothing, sleeping bag; his eating and drinking habits; his attitude toward God, women, bosses, saloons, rodeos" -- front fly leaf.
Adams, Ramon F. (Ramon Frederick), 1889-1976. and Adams, Ramon F. (Ramon Frederick), 1889-1976.
Subjects
Livestock -- West (U.S.), Cowboys -- Bibliography., Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Bibliography., Cattle -- West (U.S.) -- Bibliography., Cattle trade -- West (U.S.) -- Bibliography., and Bibliography.
Adams, Ramon F. (Ramon Frederick), 1889-1976. and Adams, Ramon F. (Ramon Frederick), 1889-1976.
Subjects
Outlaws -- Bibliography., Crime -- West (U.S.) -- Bibliography., Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.) -- Bibliography., Criminals -- West (U.S.) -- Bibliography., and Bibliography.
Adams, Ramon F. (Ramon Frederick), 1889-1976. and Adams, Ramon F. (Ramon Frederick), 1889-1976.
Subjects
Crime -- West (U.S.) -- Bibliography., Outlaws in literature., and Bibliography.
Abstract
A roundup of 424 books which have contributed to the mythology of many western heroes and heroines. Aim is to point out errors of fact in these accounts, which have recreated a colorful, but less authentic national past.
Adams, Ramon F. (Ramon Frederick), 1889-1976. and Adams, Ramon F. (Ramon Frederick), 1889-1976.
Subjects
English language -- Dialects -- West (U.S.) -- Dictionaries., Cowboys -- West (U.S.) -- Language., Americanisms -- West (U.S.) -- Dictionaries., and Popular culture -- West (U.S.) -- Dictionaries.
