Cowboy Words Dictionary

🤠 For the pardner in the back row: sure, you already talk like this. Keep it handy for the greenhorns you drag along.

Howdy, partner! 98 cowboy words you'll hear on rodeo broadcasts and in country songs. Bull riding terms are checked against PBR and ProRodeo Hall of Fame glossaries, and each comes with a fun Japanese version you can adopt!

"Japanese version" lines are our playful suggestions, not established terms.

🐂 Bull riding

Bull rope

A flat rope braided from nylon or grass that goes around the bull behind its front legs; its braided handle is the rider's only anchor.
“He wrapped his hand in the bull rope and nodded.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 命綱ロープ source

Rosin

A sticky substance that helps the glove grip the bull rope.
“Pass me the rosin, my grip's slipping.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ねばり粉（ここ一番の踏ん張りにも） source

Flank strap

A soft sheepskin- or neoprene-lined strap around the flank that encourages the animal to kick out behind rather than rear up.
“The flankman set the flank strap just right.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): やる気ベルト source

Flankman

The person behind the chutes who adjusts the flank strap; the best know each animal.
“Ask the flankman, he knows that bull.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 調整職人 source

Chute / Gate

The gated steel box each ride starts from. When ready, the rider nods and the gate man opens the gate.
“He nodded, and the gate swung open.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): うなずき発進 source

Eight seconds

The time a rider must stay on to earn a score.
“Longest eight seconds of my life!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 8秒勝負（大一番のこと） source

Qualified ride

Reaching 8 seconds without a disqualification, so the ride earns a score.
“Three qualified rides this weekend!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 完走ライド source

Covering

Staying on for at least the minimum time, eight seconds.
“He covered all three bulls.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 乗り切り source

Riding hand

The hand that grips the bull rope; riders wear a glove only on it.
“Tape up your riding hand.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): にぎり手 source

Free hand

The hand not on the rope; it must stay in the air. Touching the bull or rider before 8 seconds means disqualification.
“Keep that free hand up!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): バンザイ手 source

Slap

Touching the bull with the free hand during a ride: disqualified, no score.
“So close, but he slapped the bull at seven seconds.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ぺちっと失格 source

Buckoff

Being thrown before 8 seconds; no score for the rider.
“Tough buckoff, but he walked away fine.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ふり落とし source

Into the hand

When a bull spins the same direction as the rider's riding hand.
“That bull spins into his hand.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 握り手まわり source

Away from the hand

When a bull spins the opposite direction of the riding hand.
“Away from the hand is tougher for him.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 逆手まわり source

Spin / Spinner

A bull turning in circles; spinning is one of the things bulls are judged on.
“A spinner with a big kick!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ぐるぐる名人 source

Drop

When a bull or horse suddenly lowers its front end while kicking out behind.
“That drop nearly got him.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): がくっと落とし source

Body roll (belly roll)

A twisting roll of the bull's body in the air; PBR lists body rolls among what bulls are judged on.
“Did you see that body roll?”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 空中ひねり source

Rank

High praise for especially challenging roughstock.
“That's a rank bull.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ガチ暴れ source

Dink

An animal with very little bucking ability that just jumps, kicks or runs around.
“Drew a dink, so he'll want a re-ride.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ゆるキャラ牛 source

Re-ride

Another attempt the judges may grant when a foul or poor bull performance denied a fair chance.
“The judges gave him a re-ride.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): やり直しチケット source

Foul

Something giving the bull an unfair advantage (e.g. hitting the chute, flank strap falling off); the rider gets a re-ride option.
“Foul at the gate, so he gets an option.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ずるっこ判定 source

Hung up

When a rider can't free his hand from the rope when coming off; bullfighters help release him.
“He got hung up, but the bullfighters got him loose.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 手がぬけない絶体絶命 source

Wreck

When a rider is bucked off and then horned or stomped.
“Hope he's OK after that wreck.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 大事故 source

Bullfighter / protection athlete

Athletes who draw the bull away from a fallen rider so he can get clear.
“The bullfighters saved him again.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 守り神 source

Barrelman

An entertainer who uses a barrel to distract a bull after a ride and sometimes protect the cowboy.
“The barrelman had the crowd laughing.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 樽の人 source

Score (rider 50 + bull 50)

Up to 100 points: 50 for the rider and 50 for the bull. Four judges give up to 25 each to rider and bull; the total is divided by two.
“Ninety points! What a ride!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 点数（90点超えは神ライド） source

Go-round

Each round of competition at a multi-round rodeo.
“He won the first go-round.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ○回戦 source

Championship round (short go)

The final round only the top qualifiers reach; also called the short go.
“He made the short go!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 決勝ラウンド source

Stock contractor

People or companies that raise, care for and haul bucking bulls.
“The stock contractor brought his best bulls.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 牛のプロデューサー source

Roughstock

The bucking horses and bulls used in the riding events, usually bred for the job.
“Roughstock events are the wildest.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 暴れ組 source

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🏟️ Rodeo arena

Mark out

In bareback and saddle bronc, the rider's feet must be above the horse's shoulders on the first jump out of the chute.
“He missed his mark out.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): かかと構え source

Pickup men

Two mounted cowboys who help riders dismount, release the flank strap and escort stock to the exit gate.
“The pickup man caught him clean.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): お迎え係 source

Barrier

In timed events, a line the contestant can't cross until the animal has its head start.
“He broke the barrier: ten-second penalty.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): フライング線 source

Dally

In team roping, wrapping the rope around the saddle horn after the catch.
“Dally fast, then face up!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): くるっと巻き source

Header / Heeler

In team roping, the roper who catches the horns or head, and the one who catches the hind legs.
“Great header, even better heeler.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 頭係・足係 source

Hooey

The knot used to finish tying the calf's legs in tie-down roping.
“Throw a hooey and hands up!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): しめの結び source

Piggin' string

The small rope used to tie a calf's legs in tie-down roping.
“He keeps the piggin' string in his teeth.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): しばり紐 source

Riggin'

The suitcase-style handhold used in bareback riding.
“Check your riggin' before you climb on.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): にぎり取っ手 source

Slack

Preliminary competition for excess entries, usually before the rodeo opens to the public.
“He's up in the slack tomorrow morning.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 前座の部 source

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🐎 Ranch & horse

Wrangler

A person who handles and cares for horses on a ranch.
“Our wrangler picked a gentle horse for you.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 馬番さん source

Greenhorn

A newcomer, someone inexperienced.
“Don't worry, we were all greenhorns once.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 若葉マーク source

Tenderfoot

A newcomer not yet hardened to rough outdoor life.
“The tenderfoot got saddle sore on day one.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): やわ足さん source

Saddle up

To put a saddle on a horse; also, get ready to go.
“Saddle up, we ride at dawn!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 鞍つけ！（出発の合図） source

Giddy-up / Giddyap

A command to a horse to go faster or get moving.
“Giddy-up, partner!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): それ行けっ！ source

Whoa

A command to a horse to stop.
“Whoa there, easy now.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): どうどう source

Corral

A pen or enclosure for livestock.
“Put the horses back in the corral.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 囲い場 source

Lasso / Rope

A rope with a running noose; in ProRodeo the correct term is simply "rope".
“He can rope a calf in seconds.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 投げ縄 source

Chaps

Leather leg coverings; for bull riders they're part of the armor.
“Nice fringe on those chaps!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 脚よろい source

Spurs / Rowel

Spurs worn on the boot heel; the rowel is the notched wheel, dulled in PRCA rodeos.
“Hear those spurs jingle?”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): チャリチャリ金具 source

Ranch hand

A worker on a ranch.
“He's been a ranch hand for twenty years.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 牧場の働き者 source

Trail ride

A ride on horseback along a trail; called 外乗 in Japan.
“Let's book a trail ride in Hokkaido.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 外乗 source

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🤠 Everyday cowboy slang

Howdy, pardner

"Hello, friend." Howdy comes from "how do you do"; pardner is a dialect form of partner.
“Howdy, pardner! Pull up a chair.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): よっ、相棒！ source

Y'all

Short for "you all", used mainly in the South.
“Y'all come back now!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): みなの衆 source

Fixin' to

About to; preparing to. Chiefly Southern.
“I'm fixin' to head to the rodeo.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 〜するとこだべ source

All hat and no cattle

Full of big talk but lacking substance; all show.
“He bought the big truck, but he's all hat and no cattle.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 帽子だけ立派で牛ゼロ
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 看板倒れ／見かけ倒し source

This ain't my first rodeo

I'm experienced; I've done this before.
“Relax, this ain't my first rodeo.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): これが初ロデオじゃねえぜ
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 昔取った杵柄 source

Hold your horses

Wait a moment; be patient.
“Hold your horses, the show starts at seven.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 馬を止めて！（ちょっ待てよ）
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 急いては事を仕損じる source

Cowboy up

To summon courage and get on with something tough.
“It's cold out, but cowboy up!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): カウボーイ魂、注入！
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 七転び八起き source

Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit

A jokey Southern exclamation of surprise.
“Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit, you won!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): おしりにバター塗ってビスケットと呼んでくれ（＝びっくり！） source

That's some cowboy sh*t right there

High praise for something gritty, impressive and authentically cowboy, like a great ride or a tough job done right. Casual and regional (Arizona, Texas); we censor the swear word.
“He rode that bull one-handed in the rain. That's some cowboy sh*t right there.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): それこそガチのカウボーイだぜ！／カウボーイ魂、出てるよな！ Source: traditional cowboy saying / everyday usage

Yeehaw

A shout of excitement or enthusiasm.
“Yeehaw, we got tickets!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ヒーハー！ source

Hoedown

A lively, rowdy party with dancing.
“There's a hoedown at the bar tonight.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 大踊り会 source

Honky-tonk

A cheap, noisy bar or dance hall, often with country music; also a music style.
“Let's hit the honky-tonk.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 場末のカントリー酒場 source

Varmint

A pest animal; jokingly, a troublesome person.
“That varmint ate my sandwich!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): こいつめ〜 source

Ornery

Cranky, mean-tempered.
“That horse is ornery before breakfast.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): へそまがり
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: へそ曲がり source

Reckon

To think or suppose.
“I reckon it'll rain.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 〜だべな source

Get along, little dogie

A dogie is a motherless calf; the line is famous from an old cowboy song.
“Get along, little dogie!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 進め子牛ちゃん source

That dog won't hunt

That idea or argument won't work.
“Skipping practice before the rodeo? That dog won't hunt.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): その犬は狩りに出ねえ（＝その手は通用しない） source

Rides for the brand

Deep loyalty to your outfit: team, family, ranch or cause.
“She's been with us twenty years. She rides for the brand.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 焼き印に命かける（＝一生ついてくぜ） Source: traditional cowboy saying / everyday usage

Skedaddle / Hightail it

To leave in a hurry.
“The bull turned around and we hightailed it out of there.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): すたこらさっさ
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 三十六計逃げるに如かず source

Tarnation

A clean way to yell in surprise or frustration.
“What in tarnation is that?”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): なんじゃこりゃ〜！ source

Bellyaching

Whining and complaining.
“Quit your bellyaching and get on the horse!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ぐちぐち腹痛
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 不平たらたら source

Jawing

Chatting on and on, usually in a friendly way.
“We sat up jawing till midnight.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): あごトーク
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 話に花が咲く source

Yellow-bellied

Cowardly; often teasing today.
“Don't be yellow-bellied, try the mechanical bull!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 黄色いおなか（＝ビビり） source

Too big for your britches

Acting arrogant after a bit of success.
“One good ride and he's too big for his britches.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ズボンがはち切れそうな天狗
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 天狗になる source

Wobblin' jaw

A big talker who never stops.
“Grandpa's a wobblin' jaw, but his stories are great.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): あごぐらぐらさん source

Barn sour

A horse so eager to get back to the barn it won't head out.
“My horse got barn sour on the way back.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): おうち帰りたい病 source

Desert canary

A joking name for a donkey, thanks to its loud bray.
“Listen to that desert canary sing!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 砂漠の歌姫（ロバ） source

Maverick

Originally an unbranded calf, after Texas rancher Samuel Maverick; now an independent, unconventional person.
“She's a maverick on the dance floor.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): はぐれ子牛（＝型破り）
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 出る杭 source

Too much mustard

A braggart who won't stop boasting.
“Enough about your trophy, too much mustard!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): からし塗りすぎ（＝自慢しすぎ） source

Rode hard and put away wet

Utterly worn out, like a horse ridden hard and not cooled down.
“After the festival I feel rode hard and put away wet.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 汗だくのまましまわれた馬（＝へとへと）
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 疲労困憊 source

Airin' the lungs

Cussing; swearing out loud.
“No airin' the lungs in front of the kids!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 肺の大掃除（＝悪態） source

Rustler

A cattle thief.
“Lock the gate, there's rustlers about.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 牛ドロ source

Loco

Crazy, from Spanish.
“You rode that bull? You're loco!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ロコ（クレイジー） source

Galoot

A clumsy, goofy person; gentle teasing.
“You big galoot, you stepped on my boots!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): でくのぼうさん source

Sidewinder

A sneaky, untrustworthy person, named after the sidewinder rattlesnake.
“Don't trust that sidewinder.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 横ばいヘビ野郎 source

Tinhorn

A phony who pretends to have money or importance.
“He talks big, but he's a tinhorn.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): ブリキの角（＝ハッタリ屋）
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 虎の威を借る狐 source

Dude

Originally an Easterner new to the West (hence "dude ranch"); now just "guy".
“That dude's never seen a cow.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 都会っ子 source

Buckaroo

Another word for cowboy, from Spanish vaquero.
“Let's go, buckaroos!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): バッカルー（カウボーイ） source

Ace-high

Fine, first-rate, from poker.
“This BBQ is ace-high!”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): エース級 source

Above board

Honest and legit, from keeping your hands above the card table.
“The game was all above board.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): テーブルの上でガチンコ
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 正々堂々 source

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📜 Cowboy wisdom & proverbs

Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction

Safety advice with humor: bulls charge forward, horses kick back, and fools are trouble from every side.
“Remember: never approach a fool from any direction.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 牛は前NG、馬は後ろNG、おバカは全方位NG
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 君子危うきに近寄らず source

Speak your mind, but ride a fast horse

Say what you think, but be ready for the consequences.
“Go ahead and tell the boss, but ride a fast horse.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 言うなら逃げ馬も用意しとけ
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 口は禍の門 source

Always drink upstream from the herd

Literally: downstream, the water has the herd's pee and dung in it. Figuratively: look after your own needs; don't settle for what's already used or ruined.
“Get to the buffet early: always drink upstream from the herd.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): みんなより上流でゴクリ
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 先んずれば人を制す source

Never miss a good chance to shut up

Silence is often the wiser move.
“He never misses a good chance to shut up. Smart man.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 黙るチャンス、逃すべからず
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 言わぬが花／口は禍の門 source

Don't squat with your spurs on

Avoid a painful, embarrassing mistake you could have seen coming.
“Double-check before you hit send. Don't squat with your spurs on.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 拍車でしゃがむと痛い目見るぜ
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 転ばぬ先の杖 Source: traditional cowboy saying / everyday usage

You cannot tell how good a man or a watermelon is until they have been thumped

A person's character, like a watermelon's, shows only when tested.
“He kept calm in that wreck. You can't tell a man or a watermelon till they've been thumped.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 人もスイカも叩いてナンボ
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 人は見かけによらぬもの Source: traditional cowboy saying / everyday usage

The only good reason to ride a bull is to meet a nurse

A joke admitting some things are just plain dangerous.
“Why ride bulls? To meet a nurse, of course.”
🎌 Japanese version to try (our suggestion): 牛に乗る理由？病院の出会いだぜ
🗾 Similar Japanese proverb: 命あっての物種 source

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