Speech of the Plains

Carried like whispers over rustling windswept prairies, the following sample of iconic words and phrases pervade the wide-open spaces, and small towns of big sky alike.

Proverbs and Wisdom

"It is better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand."

— Apache

A reminder to be less boisterous than one’s capabilities and a warning as some in this age, indeed do carry lightning in the hand.

"The weakness of the enemy makes our strength."

— Cherokee

A reminder to know one’s enemy prior to striking and a warning for patience as not all enemies are readily reveal their weakness.

"We will be known forever by the tracks we leave."

— Dakota

History remembers us by our deeds and actions, what marks do you leave behind?

"Coyote is always out there waiting, and Coyote is always hungry."

— Navajo

Be cautious and avoid becoming the hunted.

"It takes a thousand voices to tell a single story."

— Unknown

Let no voice be silenced lest the story be lost, drowned out by the wind

Common Phrases

Ace

Holdout pistol

Airin' the lungs

synonymous with the term - cuss

Barber’s cat

A starved, sickly looking individual

Chickabiddy

A child, considered a term of endearment

Civilizee

Anyone not abiding by the old ways, using modern technology; A derogatory term for Native Americans who embrace modern technology

Equilizer

Gun

Fork a hoss

Riding a horse

Horseshoe

Pimping for a prostitute

Iron horse

Any self powered, non-organic vehicle mounted and ridden like a horse

Leaning on the rail

A prostitute; to prostitute oneself

Lower than a snakes belly

A scoundrel, worst of the worst, or dead; the way most scoundrels end up sooner rather than later

Mitten

To be rejected by a lover

Yallers

A long term drunk; refers to jaundice, a liver disease sometimes caused by heavy drinking