Our Ancestral Pioneers and Words They Used
Those ancestors they moved from the eastern coastal homelands to seek a new life in the mid-west and far west faced a long journey, work to establish a homestead, harsh weather and long periods of isolation from towns and other people. They even developed their own phrases and slang terms for things and activities.
Here are a few such words and terms, what they mean and see how many you have seen written or heard of:
Eyes peeled – to keep an lookout.
Lead poisoning – meant you had been shot by a gun with a lead bullet.
Pony up – to pay a debt, pay up.
A Bee – a gathers of friends to work on a common project such as a quilting bee or cornhusking bee.
Fixins – to add all the extras and trimming to a project or even a meal.
Mosey – to shuffle or walk slowly.
Vintage – referred to the year of one’s birth.
Spell – an undefined period of time such as to sit for a spell or having a dry spell in the weather.
Red Shirts – this referred to miners.
One-eyed city / town – a small, slow or sleepy location.
Hankering – having a craving or desire for something.
Dander – showing a strong emotion or anger.
Gone to Chicago – someone who vanished, disappeared.
Out of the woods – over the worst part of a bad situation or problem.
Seven by Nine – something of an inferior quality and also a small window pane measuring 7 by 9 inches.
Tickled to Death – very pleased and happy with the results or an item.
Photos: Frontier covered wagons; Home in frontier Minnesota in 1880s; Kansas frontier town in 1870s and working on the frontier.
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