Sunday, March 1, 2015

Americanisms And Western Slang


Right from the beginning, as soon as pilgrims from England and other parts of Europe hit North American shores, the language began to evolve. 

English versus American language
Many words were borrowed from Native Americans and immigrants from other European countries. New words created explained the early pioneers encounters with unfamiliar landscape, weather, animals, plants, and living conditions. Also, the change of diet with different foods available.

An Americanism was and still is any word or expression originated in the United States. That included variations of any foreign words, a pronunciation slant, and old words revised with different meanings.

People from across the pond referred to American dialect as an insult. It was considered barbaric for more than a century after the Revolutionary War. Besides their dress in not keeping up with the latest London fashions, an American could be recognized by words and phrases as simple as reckon, bureau (chest of drawers), lightning rod (for whiskey) or bamboozle.

Yet Americans considered their version of the English language as a badge of pride, another form of
western slang words
western slang
independence from the mother country. Speech constituted both an aggressively conscious or subtle way to rebel and be part of the ongoing revolution.

Language changes around the uniqueness, individuality, and independence of each generation. 


As pioneers migrated out west, the vernacular eroded even more into the slang and lingo that provided some of the charm and character of that era.

Westerners stood apart from Englanders and easterners with references to ranching or mining terms. 
beef jerky
Their talk incorporated the lifestyle. Some common cowboy jargon included hornswoggle and jamboree, jerky and jawbone credit, and gotta high-tail it outa there, to name a few. Some good sources can be extracted from period newspapers, books, and memoirs.

Writes Kathy Weiser of Legends of America, “Ironically, after centuries of forming our ‘own’ language, the English and American versions are once again beginning to blend as movies, songs, electronics, and global traveling bring the two ‘languages’ closer together once again.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Does your family or citizens in your region speak certain words or phrases uniquely your/their own? From what source did they originate?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY OFFER…

Wind in the Wires
Giveaway
Janet Chester Bly has written and co-written 32 books with her late husband, award-winning western author Stephen Bly. She and her three sons completed Stephen’s last historical novel for him, Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot. Read about the story here: http://www.blybooks.com/category/finishing-dads-novel/.
New release Wind in the Wires, Book 1, Trails of Reba Cahill, is her first solo adult novel. It’s a contemporary (set in 1991) western mystery. It’s a road adventure with a touch of romance. It’s Cowgirl Lit. Comment on this post to enter drawing for free paperback (U.S. only) or PDF file copy for anyone.
Or download now: http://amzn.to/1tnpHpr
Sign up for Almost Monthly Newsletter here: http://www.blybooks.com/contact/stephen-bly-books-newsletter/

17 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your interesting post. Nothing like good ole Western Slang!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So true, Janet! My son and I are writing a book set partly in Australia. Not only do we have to watch our for different words they would use, but since it's a historical, we have to make sure they would use it BACK THEN!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan: Your project sounds like great fun! You're so right about how tricky to use colloquial language with accuracy...

      Delete
  3. Teresa Collett I grew up a "Hoosier," learning to use pop for soda, mango for green pepper, sneakers for sports shoes. Now we have an official state pie: the sugar cream pie. Being from Central Indiana, I never had the accent of Southern Indiana nor the love of lakes as in Northern Indiana. However I still love the farm land with its corn, fresh vegetables, and apples off the tree!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teresa: Thanks for sharing about your Hoosier heritage!

      Delete
  4. In the early 70's, American servicemen returning from Southeast Asia were adding lots of Thai words and phrases to their vocabulary.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Living in Nebraska I really don't know that I'd say I hear too many phrases just for our area, other than Husker country..
    I do hear youngsters using slang. One of my relatives says - anyway- a lot. Like after every sentence! I would enjoy reading the Wind in The Wires.. I use to hear the hum of the wires when I was a youngster riding my horse out in the pastures of SW Nebr. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deanna: I understand the wind in the wires sounds a bit different depending on the location, environment, and type of wire. Together they'd make an orchestra, I'm thinking.

      Delete
    2. Deanna: Congratulations! You've been chosen as winner of a copy of Wind In The Wires. Please email me at janet(at)blybooks(dot)com and let me know if you want a paperback edition (send your snail mail address) or a PDF file attachment for your digital reader. Blessings, Janet

      Delete
    3. Thanks so much I am so looking forward to reading this..
      dkstevensneAToutlookD OtCoM

      Delete
  6. Having been raised in Michigan but now living in the South, I have heard the many different in word usage, or phrases that are entirely new to me... things like 'mash' the button, 'cut' the light on etc...

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Spent one year in Wisconsin and learned they use "bubbler" for drinking fountain, "grill" for barbecue (that's just the sauce I was told), and "out East" not back East, plus they have a fun accent. Us West Coasters tend to use old surfing lingo, like "that's cool" or "right on"a lot. Enjoyed you new book. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Spent one year in Wisconsin and learned they use "bubbler" for drinking fountain, "grill" for barbecue (that's just the sauce I was told), and "out East" not back East, plus they have a fun accent. Us West Coasters tend to use old surfing lingo, like "that's cool" or "right on"a lot. Enjoyed you new book. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anything from our family is from N Ireland or Pennsylvania Dutch areas. Sm. wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete