Cowboy Builders - Why Cowboy?

[Colibri]

@Wendell_Wagner

Um, in that particular quotation from King of the Hill, I suspect (although I’ve never seen that episode) that the radio host in the episode was not saying that Bill was a reckless person. He was just making a rather mild and not very funny joke about Bill being from Texas. I don’t know who wrote the explanation that “cowboy” meant “someone who is reckless or careless,” but I don’t think they knew what they were talking about in this case.

Obviously, like many words, “cowboy” can have different meanings depending on context. It can mean careless or reckless, but it can also just be a jocular reference to someone being from a western state. I can also mean brave or stoic in the face of adversity, as in the phrase “Cowboy up!”, popularized by Kevin Millar of the Red Sox during the 2003 playoffs. Just like a cowboy, you’re supposed to get back on that bronc after it throws you.

[MPB_in_Salt_Lake]

@Wendell_Wagner

Here’s the exact exchange:

Hans Gruber: Mr. Mystery Guest? Are you still there?
John McClane: Yeah, I’m still here. Unless you wanna open the front door for me.
Hans Gruber: Uh, no, I’m afraid not. But, you have me at a loss. You know my name but who are you? Just another American who saw too many movies as a child? Another orphan of a bankrupt culture who thinks he’s John Wayne? Rambo? Marshal Dillon?
John McClane: Was always kinda partial to Roy Rogers actually. I really like those sequined shirts.
Hans Gruber: Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mr. Cowboy?
John McClane: Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker.

It’s been 20+ years since I saw Die Hard, but I thought of this exchange upon reading this thread. (the Yippie-ki-yay bit was the cool signature line from the movie, and was often repeated by the worldly, in-the-know 8th Graders of Salt Lake City that summer :D)

[SciFiSam]

@Wendell_Wagner

Um, in that particular quotation from King of the Hill, I suspect (although I’ve never seen that episode) that the radio host in the episode was not saying that Bill was a reckless person. He was just making a rather mild and not very funny joke about Bill being from Texas. I don’t know who wrote the explanation that “cowboy” meant “someone who is reckless or careless,” but I don’t think they knew what they were talking about in this case.

Yes, I realise that. I stated that the written definition made no sense in context. However, it is still an example of someone who is paid to write stating that ‘cowboy’ means ‘reckless.’

[pulykamell]

@Wendell_Wagner

Perhaps so, tomndebb, but for what it’s worth I’ve very rarely heard the term used in the U.S. in that sense.

I’ve never heard “cowboy builder” in the US, but “cowboy” to mean a loose cannon-type? Pretty common in my experience.

[handsomeharry]

@Gary "Wombat" Robson

Arguing with you is pointless. You equate something some dude in a bar said with years of experience with cowboys? I don’t understand why you’re willing to believe any piece of unprovable tripe you hear, but never willing to believe informed, critical, or expert citations. Believing that this expression came from hovels in India is pretty harmless compared to the rest of what you believe, so I guess I will just let you believe it.

No! Don’t stop! I think you almost have him convinced!!!

Best wishes,
hh

[handsomeharry]

Hold it!
I think I have the correct answer. It came to me that when I originally heard the term used as somebody that was reckless, the image that came to my mind wasn’t the dignified Marlboro Man, or any other type of range rider. It was the rodeo cowboy, the ones that rode the crazy horses with the barrel riding, whatever that is, kind of action. The 'Yee-Haws" and the being thrown around the ring by a crazy, bucking bronco. THAT is why I think cowboys are associated with the nutcases.

Best wishes,
hh

[flano1]

You better smile when you say that, pardner.

[Candyman74]

I always thought that Prince Philip made a mistake when he said “Indians” and that he meant “Cowboys”. I’ve never heard a reverse theory than “Indians” came first, or even heard “Indians” used in that context other than that one phrase used by him once.

[Giles]

Just to add something about usage of “cowboys”, here’s a photo that I took about 5 years ago in the East Midlands of England:
You’ve tried the cowboys now try the Indians. (There are a lot of Indians living in Leicester, where the picture was taken, but I didn’t see any cowboys.)