3 ms·

What's the link between vaquero and cowboy? I get that they both derive from the name of the same animal but is there actually a lineal relationship between the

What's the link between vaquero and cowboy? I get that they both derive from the name of the same animal but is there actually a lineal relationship between them? And why would a Spanish source word cancel out or disprove any later racial associations of the word? Regarding the other terms that were in use: Cowhand, ranchhand, drovers, stockmen etc etc. - does the use of these terms disprove the racialised aspects of cowboy or the story of how the word became popularised? I would think cowboy could have still been popularised in the slavery context despite not having been coined especially for it.

Cenk 3y ago
The original claim also only referred to the usage of the term in Fort Bend County and the surrounding area
theultdev 3y ago
Well, the term "buckaroo" is believed to be an anglicized version of "vaquero" showing phonological characteristics compatible with its Spanish origin. The word "buckaroo" first appeared in American English in 1827. It's still used to refer to a certain style of cowboys and horsemanship, particularly in the Great Basin region of the United States, which retains characteristics of the traditional vaquero. But to your criticism, the transition from "vaquero" to "cowboy" just reflects the influence of Spanish culture on American ranching practices. Vaqueros and cowboys worked side by side so it seems to be a natural transition between the two and has much more support historically and linguistically than the complete lack of evidence provided by the article. Words don't appear out of nowhere, they naturally evolve and generally are based on imported words and root words, and it makes sense that Spain, the ones who created this practice and imported these cows and horses were the root of the evolution, beginning from the latin root word "vacca".
- actionfromafar 3y ago
  So what is the lineage from "buckaroo" to "cowboy"?
  - theultdev 3y ago
    I don't think there is a lineage it's believed to be the literal anglicized version of vaquero. It was another branching of the word vaquero. The term cowboy seems to have occurred naturally as a less literal transition of the word vaquero. I am not a linguistics expert though, there may be someone else that has more details on the transition. I will also accept a fortification of the article's attempt at explaining the origin, but I don't see any evidence or attempt at providing any. Also as I noted in earlier comments the word "cowboy" was being used in print in 1725 by that time and used heavily in the British Isles in the mid 1800s
    - actionfromafar 3y ago
      Will you also accept that a word might have several roots? I mean, it's a simple word. It could have been created several times in different places. Also not an etymology expert but such things must have happened, more than twice.
      - theultdev 3y ago
        Sure, if you provide valid historical and linguistic evidence.
    - AlecSchueler 3y ago
      Certainly the onus to prove their claims lies with the authors of the article but the claim that they are engaging in "race baiting" is also very serious and as yet unsubstantiated. Many words that were in print in the 18th Century have since been used in different contexts and taken on new associations.
      - theultdev 3y ago
        I cannot provide a criticism against their theory of origin as they did not provide any evidence. Judging from the theme and tones of their articles and their lack of evidence in their claims it is of my opinion they are race-baiting. That is a subjective view so feel free to interpret their motives as you wish, I will interpret them how I view them based on my evaluations.
- AlecSchueler 3y ago
  [dead]
- Aloha 3y ago
  I think both origins are probably correct at the same time, as you well know, Texas is a big place, and communications/movements of people were very slow until the 20th Century. Black cowboy culture is kinda lost from the popular narrative - and cowboy culture was anglicized to an extent that the Mexican origins were also buried - similarly both mexican and black folks experienced similar kinds of racism depending on which part of the state they were in.

Cenk 3y ago

The original claim also only referred to the usage of the term in Fort Bend County and the surrounding area

theultdev 3y ago

Well, the term "buckaroo" is believed to be an anglicized version of "vaquero" showing phonological characteristics compatible with its Spanish origin. The word "buckaroo" first appeared in American English in 1827. It's still used to refer to a certain style of cowboys and horsemanship, particularly in the Great Basin region of the United States, which retains characteristics of the traditional vaquero. But to your criticism, the transition from "vaquero" to "cowboy" just reflects the influence of Spanish culture on American ranching practices. Vaqueros and cowboys worked side by side so it seems to be a natural transition between the two and has much more support historically and linguistically than the complete lack of evidence provided by the article. Words don't appear out of nowhere, they naturally evolve and generally are based on imported words and root words, and it makes sense that Spain, the ones who created this practice and imported these cows and horses were the root of the evolution, beginning from the latin root word "vacca".

actionfromafar 3y ago
So what is the lineage from "buckaroo" to "cowboy"?
- theultdev 3y ago
  I don't think there is a lineage it's believed to be the literal anglicized version of vaquero. It was another branching of the word vaquero. The term cowboy seems to have occurred naturally as a less literal transition of the word vaquero. I am not a linguistics expert though, there may be someone else that has more details on the transition. I will also accept a fortification of the article's attempt at explaining the origin, but I don't see any evidence or attempt at providing any. Also as I noted in earlier comments the word "cowboy" was being used in print in 1725 by that time and used heavily in the British Isles in the mid 1800s
  - actionfromafar 3y ago
    Will you also accept that a word might have several roots? I mean, it's a simple word. It could have been created several times in different places. Also not an etymology expert but such things must have happened, more than twice.
    - theultdev 3y ago
      Sure, if you provide valid historical and linguistic evidence.
  - AlecSchueler 3y ago
    Certainly the onus to prove their claims lies with the authors of the article but the claim that they are engaging in "race baiting" is also very serious and as yet unsubstantiated. Many words that were in print in the 18th Century have since been used in different contexts and taken on new associations.
    - theultdev 3y ago
      I cannot provide a criticism against their theory of origin as they did not provide any evidence. Judging from the theme and tones of their articles and their lack of evidence in their claims it is of my opinion they are race-baiting. That is a subjective view so feel free to interpret their motives as you wish, I will interpret them how I view them based on my evaluations.
AlecSchueler 3y ago
[dead]
Aloha 3y ago
I think both origins are probably correct at the same time, as you well know, Texas is a big place, and communications/movements of people were very slow until the 20th Century. Black cowboy culture is kinda lost from the popular narrative - and cowboy culture was anglicized to an extent that the Mexican origins were also buried - similarly both mexican and black folks experienced similar kinds of racism depending on which part of the state they were in.