Under your felt cowboy hat you have a head and that head needs information. Here is a list or glossary of terms and slang used in the Old West.
Apache – one of a warlike Indian tribe famous for travelling light. He was more interested in your scalp than your hat.
Bandana – neckerchief worn round the cowboy’s neck, handy to slip up as a dust filter. Makes your cowboy hat look even better.
Bowie knife – type of knife designed by Jim Bowie later of Alamo fame. He preferred a coon-skin cap.
Bronco – a wild horse often referred to as a “bucking bronco”. You need stampede strings if you want to break one.
Chuck – the grub or food cowboys ate on the trail. Carry your grub away in your hat.
Chuck Wagon – the wagon carrying the grub that accompanied the cattle drove. Wave your hat to stop cookie.
Cutting out – separating calves to be roped and branded.
Dogie – a motherless calf.
Buffalo – bison that roamed the open range and provided food for Indians. The fur can be used to make the felt for your cowboy hat.
Calaboose – the jailhouse. Remove your hat and don’t upset the sheriff.
Colt 45 – six-shot revolver also known as the Peacemaker, with a revolving cylinder holding six rounds. This would blow your head off as well as your Stetson.
Deputy – sheriff’s assistant. His hat would not be as fancy as his boss’s.
Derringer – a type of single-shot pistol favored by professional gambles. Gamblers preferred very stylish hats.
Drawl – slow spoken speech typical of a cowboy. Sounds better coming from under a “Boss of the plains” hat.
Dry gulch – to ambush someone. A broad-brimmed hat shaded the sun and made aiming a gun easier.
Greenhorn – a novice. Probably had fancy hat or bonnet that didn’t suit western conditions.
Holster – leather side pouch to carry a six-gun. A gun and a hat and you are half way to being a cowboy.
Honky-tonk – a saloon in the Old West that provided entertainment usually a piano. Remember to raise your hat to the ladies even if they aren’t very lady-like.
Jangle – noise made by spurs as a cowboy walks. From hat to spurs a cowboy is all man.
Lariat – a rope, from Spanish.
Lasso – to rope, usually a cow or horse.
Marshall – the oldest federal law enforcement office in the U.S. authorized to swear in a posse to assist them in manhunts and other duties. A high crown cowboy hat makes someone look taller and more imposing and this is important to lawmen.
Maverick – an ownerless cow; a wayward person. A black hat baddie.
Muley – a hornless cow. At least it cant gore your head-wear.
Longhorn – a type of cattle with long sweeping horns. Now, it can gore your hat.
Medicine man An Indian shaman or practitioner of Native American medicine. He prefers a feather in his cap.
Packing – carrying a gun as in packing a six-shooter. Packing a hat is different.
Panning – searching for gold with a flat, shallow pan in a stream. Your hat is no good, it would get soggy.
Pommel – projection from front of western saddle with a “horn” to anchor the rope when lassoing cattle. Handy for hanging your Stetson on.
Posse – group of men led by a Marshall in a manhunt. They all wore hats.
Powwow – An Indian name for a discussion or council.
Range – to ride the range, go on horseback across the open prairie. Wind, rain, snow – the broad-brimmed cowboy hat protected the rider.
Renegade – turncoat or traitor, an Indian who has left his tribe. Sometimes Indians wore cowboy hats often with a feather in them.
Rodeo – a sporting event involving horses and cattle to test the skill and speed of cowboys. Without stampede strings your hat wouldn’t stay on.
Roundup - driving all the cattle on a ranch together to tally their numbers. A simple way of keeping a tally is to drop a pebble in a hat as each beast passes.
Rustler – cattle thief often hung when caught. He would probably steal your hat too. Rye whiskey – a type of spirit distilled from rye grain. Too much of this and you would be likely to loose your mind as well as your hat.
Saddle up – to put a saddle on a horse.
Scalp – to remove the hair and scalp with a knife as a trophy. If you survived you would need a hat permanently.
Sheriff – county law enforcement agent. Always wore a really impressive Stetson.
Shindig - a dance or disturbance. People’s hats flying everywhere.
Shindy – a disturbance or fight
Sidekick – friend or companion who accompanied you especially on horseback.
Six-gun – a six shot revolver
Six-shooter – another name for a six-gun. Fills your hat full of lead.
Spurs – device worn on cowboy boots to prick the horses flank to urge it on. Accelerate too quickly and your hat will fly off.
Squaw – a female Indian. Looks really pretty in a good western hat.
Steamboat – A steam powered paddle boat found on rivers like the Mississippi. The captain would likely prefer a peaked cap.
Steer – castrated bull raised for beef.
Stetson – the broad-brimmed felt cowboy hat designed by John B. Stetson.
Teepee – Conical tent used by Indians made from skins and poles. Nowhere to hang your hat!
Tin-horn – a petty braggart, usually applied to a gambler. Probably has a hat far too big and fancy for practical use.
Vaquero – Mexican Spanish for cowboy. He will wear an ornate sombrero.
Winchester – lever-action rifle manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company known as “The Gun that Won the West”. Some say it was the Stetson felt cowboy hat that won it.
What is a cowboy hat? A hat worn by Americans who herded cattle. The original cowboy hat was the one designed by John B. Stetson. It had a high crown, broad brim, head band and a sweat band with internal lining. Before this cowboys wore whatever type of hat they could get. Many were immigrants who wore the traditional head wear of their counties of origin.
What are the advantages of a cowboy hat? They keep the head warm and dry in winter and the rain and snow out of your eyes. In summer the broad brim shades the eyes from the sun. They also look cool and are good for having a snooze under.
What kind of cowboy hat did John Wayne wear in “Who Shot Liberty Valance”? The high crown hat looks like a “Boss of the Plains” hat by Stetson. His hat size is said to have been 7 1/4 + 7 3/8
Where can I buy a cowboy hat? There are many hat stores that stock traditional cowboy hats in a great number of styles. AA Callister is well known. Amazon and Ebay sell them.
Who wears a Cowboy hat? American cattlemen still wear them but many US citizens like to have one for its practical benefits as well as style. It is also an icon of America recognized worldwide. Most kids have worn one for play.
Should I buy a white or black felt cowboy hat? Dark hats don’t show the dirt as much. White hats have a more summery look.
Which cowboy hat should you wear? There are many different styles of cowboy hat: the Stetson, cattleman, Fedora, sombrero, and in materials like felt, straw, leather, and modern stuff.
How to Make a Cowboy Hat with Paper? Use the above method for a paper cowboy hat.
How do you wear a cowboy hat? Setting your cowboy hat on your head at just the right angle can project your personality. Straight, angled or tilted way back, you’ll find some tips here: http://www.ehow.com/how_4493985_wear-cowboy-hat-properly.html
How to clean a felt cowboy hat? A soft-bristle brush, a sponge and rough toweling are recommended for cleaning a cowboy hat.
Where can I get a cowboy hat? Most good hat stores or do a Google search for online purchase.
What Is an Australian Cowboy Hat? An Australian cowboy hat or “Outback hat” is shaped like a slouch hat with corks dangling around the brim on the end of 1- to 2-inch-long cords. Made from straw, canvas or more expensive leather.
What kind of hat did Zorro wear? The hat that Zorro wore is called a “Spanish Gaucho Hat”.
What kind of hat did Indian Jones wear? This type is called a “Fedora”.
Where is the store where people can hang up their old cowboy hats? Jill Martin’s Ben’s Western Wear Store in Cotulla. Over 500 hats once belonging to working cowboys and prominent people can be seen with their stories. Plus a long poem by Dan Cadden hangs on display. Where can I see a picture of a cowboy hat carrying case? A great looking hat and its case can be seen at thislink: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jo-an-torres/5012313412/
Is there a cowboy hat etiquette? This article can give you some info on how to behave when wearing a Stetson, Boss of the plains, Cattleman or any other typeof cowboy hat. AJBurnett Jersey – http://thera.ilikehandbag.com/
Which state is the “cowboy state”? Wyoming in the Western United States is known as “The Cowboy State”. It is part of a prairie region known as the “High Plains”. This is a great video by Chris Ledoux about how much a cowboy hat can mean to someone.
It conveys the message that a possession can have a great deal of sentimental value to its owner.
Why are cowboy hats called 10 or 7 gallon hats?
Some say a ten-gallon hat was made large so that a rider could water his horse quickly. Others think it is from the Spanish “tan galán” interpreted as “how gallant (looking)”. Another idea is “galón” meaning “braid” that refers to the breadth of the brim.
Where in my city can I buy a cheap, used cowboy hat?
Not the number of times you’ve been kissed. It is a quality rating. The higher the X’s the better but standards vary. A bit like kissing, really.
Do people make fun of you for wearing western hats?
Boorish people will always find an excuse to mock. Some people are only teasing and might be jealous. Refer them to Chris Ledoux’s song: This cowboy Hat. (Video on this page).
Why Do Mexican Men Wear Cowboy hats and Boots?
Many Western customs and dress came from the original vaquero cowboys.
Why do country singers wear cowboy hats?
The type of song sung by country singers originates from the songs and poems told by real cattlemen round their camp fires at night. The cowboy hat has become an icon.
How do you keep a cowboy hat on when riding?
Holding it with one hand is inefficent so someone invented Stampede strings
What does country style look like?
Cowboy hat, boots, blue jeans and a plaid shirt will do for most folk.
What kid of cowgirl hairstyle should I wear?
Cowboy hats suit braids, pigtails, pony tail.
Are sombreros worn only by Mexican people?
The hotter the conditions the broader the brim people prefer so in Mexico the large sombrero developed to suit the conditions.
What makes you a cowboy or cowgirl?
Real cowboys or cowgirls work cattle on a ranch. Then there are the cowboys of book, song, poem and film who captured the popular imagination world wide. Anyone can dress up as a cowboy or cowgirl for a party.
How you set the angle of the hat on your head helps to project something of your personality. The most criticized position is bashed and stuck carelessly on the back of the skull like some kid out of “Tom Sawyer”. The most glamorous position is a tilted angle partly shading the eyes and creating a touch of mystery. Its fun to try out different angles to find the style you think best suits you. Ask reliable friends for a reaction.
What is the proper way to stretch a cowboy hat?
If you would like to make your own hat stretcher there is an article to read up on it here.
“A well-fitting hat is an ideal accent to any suit of clothes. But sometimes the perfect hat doesn’t quite fit and needs to be stretched. Finding the right-sized hat stretcher can be difficult. Make your own hat stretcher and you can stretch your hats to exactly your size.”
Soft-bristle brush for dust. Damp sponge or toweling for mud. When and where was Angels Cowboy Hats founded? In 2006 Angels Cowboy Hats was founded and is located in Molalla, Or. More about Angels Cowboy Hats on this Website. http://www.angelscowboyhats.com/shipping_info
Are Girls Attracted To Boys Wearing Cowboy Hats? Cowboys have a manly image and are an important part of American history. The Wild West films built a positive image for cattle ranchers and the hardy men who worked the cattle. Guys look good in jeans and a Stetson hat and country singers have adopted this style. Girls like this.
In which state are cowboy hats and belt buckles most common? Probably Texas, it is a big state with a history of cattle ranching.
What can be done with old Cowboy hats? Felt or straw hats can be recycled into compost as they are of animal origin. They can also serve as flower pots. Some folks like to turn them into art objects with paint. If still in good condition a thrift shop might appreciate them.
Are today’s US cavalry officers allowed to wear the old “John Wayne” type of cowboy hat? It is not authorized equipment but many officers have been known to wear one in the field or on informal occasions.
What is the meaning of white cowboy hats on dashboards? Not sure but perhaps drivers want to convey their identification with the cowboy image.
What are Cowboy hats with a flat brim called? “Boss of the Plains” was the original style of felt cowboy hat with a plain brim.
What are some hair ideas for cowboy hats? Pony tail, pig tails, braided are favored ny many cowgirls.
Why should I wear a cowboy hat? The practical reasons are: protection from sun, rain and snow. People aso wear them as part of an image to identify with their heroes of the Old West or the cattle-owning community. It is also a symbol of America, and you will look good in one.
What to look for in cowboy hats? A style and material that suits you. There are many styles so you need to consider your head size, height, build, coloring, and personality. Felt is good in winter, and straw is light and airy in the summer heat.
Should you wear a bandana with cowboy hats? It is not considered all that cool to wear a bandana with a cowboy hat these days. The bandana or neckerchief was useful to stop sunburn and act as a dust mask for the original Old West cowboys. It came in handy if you were robbing a bank!
What is a Montana Peak cowboy hat? It refers to the crown of a hat creased to make it look like a mountain top.
How can I find out about the different types of cowboy hat? Everything you would like to find out about hats of the Old West with many illustrations can be found here: http://www.curtrich.com/hats2.html
Why do cowboy hats have their sides turned up? The brim of a cowboy hat can be rolled in various styles to enhance apperance. The original roll developed by simply being handled a lot by the wearer.
Where do people still wear cowboy hats? Real working cowboys in all the cattle ranching areas – Texas, North Dakota, Montana etc still wear them. People all over the U.S. and many parts of the world also wear them for work or social events.
Do Cowboys always wear Cowboy Boots? Not necessarily but many do, the high heel grips the stirrups and it is useful to have the leg protection.
What does a typical Cowboy wear? The classic cowboy outfit consists of: a felt Stetson cowboy hat; bandana or neckerchief; button up shirt, possibly plaid; jeans with leather belt and metal buckle; (the belt might contain cartridges and have a holster for a six-gun); a pair of leather chaps to protect his legs from brush injury, derived from Spanish chaparro – low thicket.
Who sang dancing in a sea of cowboy hats? The lovely Chely Wright.
What is a “never flop” cowboy hat? With age the flat brim of a felt cowboy hat would weaken and “flop” and so it would not keep off the sun and rain. To counteract this the wearers would sow leather strips through the edges of the brim to stiffen it. Manufacturers used the term “Never Flop” as a brand name.
When to wear a felt or straw cowboy hat?
There is a convention to wear a felt hat from the first of Labor Day to the first of May and a straw hat from Easter to Halloween.
How do I add a cowboy hat to a picture of myself?
Get a photo of someone wearing a cowboy hat similar in size to your picture. Use Photo shop or similar freehand tool to cut out the hat and copy and paste it onto your photo.
Can I clean and restyle a white paper straw cowboy hat?
Boil a kettle and carefully steam the hat, wiping the soiled areas with a clean white cloth. Don’t overdo it, remember steam burns your hands!
Do women in cowboy hats take them off in conversation?
No, women can keep their hats on at any time unless impractical.
Is there an USPS Box to fit a cowboy hat?
Nope, the largest USPS Priority Mail large flat rate box is 12″ by 12″ by 5 1/2″.
How do I store a compressed straw cowboy hat?
Put it in a plastic bag and store somewhere cool and dry to avoid mildew and rodents.
How do you age a new straw cowboy hat?
Paint it with a brew of tea and wear till dry.
Are there rules for a Cowboy Hat when eating out?
Remove it on entering the restaurant and use a coat tree if available. Placing it on a nearby seat is OK or ask the staff.
In the video below, David Morgan shows you how to look after your top notch fur felt hat. Storage, cleaning, removing transit damage and drying are covered. If you own or intend to buy a top notch cowboy hat then this is a must see video.
David carefully explains how to store the hat on a hat stretcher so that it can dry and prevent shrinkage. He has tips on how to place your hat on a flat surface to maintain the shape.
New hats can have scuff marks and David shows how these can be removed so that your precious new possession will look its absolute best. When you have spent a lot of money on your new hat it is worthwhile spending some time on learning how to keep it looking at its very best.
The use of a soft-bristle brush to clean dust from your hat is clearly demonstrated. Counter clockwise strokes are used as the hat is “pounced” during manufacture and the nap, or lie of the fibers, run that way. When a hat is dusty rain can cause spotting.
Definitions
Nap is the raised (fuzzy) surface on certain kinds of cloth, such as velvet. Nap can refer additionally to other surfaces that look like the surface of a napped cloth, such as the surface of a felt or beaver hat.
Starting around the 14th century, the word referred originally to the roughness of woven cloth before it was sheared.[1][2] When cloth, especially woolen cloth, is woven, the surface of the cloth is not smooth, and this roughness is the nap. Generally the cloth is then ‘sheared’ to create an even surface, and the nap is thus removed.
A brush that is too hard can damage your hat. Light colored brush for a light colored hat and dark for a dark one is recommended. A sponge or toweling is also used.
Hat Stretcher
A device for increasing the size of a hat by mechanical force. If you would like to make your own hat stretcher there is an article to read up on it here.
“A well-fitting hat is an ideal accent to any suit of clothes. But sometimes the perfect hat doesn’t quite fit and needs to be stretched. Finding the right-sized hat stretcher can be difficult. Make your own hat stretcher and you can stretch your hats to exactly your size.”
You can see an animation of a hat stretching device at this URL.
“The Patey Hat Jack is a versatile piece of equipment. It will lend itself to almost any hat such as panama, trilby, tweed cap, bowler, hunt cap, top hat, leather hats, cowboy type hats”
