Cowboys

[The Cowboy]

Why is it that when a tradesman does shoddy work on your house he is called a cowboy?

Cowboys were hard working honest men who worked from sun up to sund own in very harsh conditions.

Cowboy

(No I'm not a builder. I'm an ex firefighter).

[raysparx]

Howdy Cowboy, I think it is because they take your money,ride off into the sunset never to be seen again, Ray

[Quizmonster]

Cowboy, meaning a man involved in cattle-ranching, dates back to the mid-19th century, its original significance being a lad in Britain who tended cows. However, the meaning that comes closest to what we intend when we call a tradesman that nowadays is the one from the 18th-century USA.
Here's an appropriate quote from 1775: "Bandits consisting of lawless villains within the British lines have received the name of cowboys and skinners." Given that 'skin' can also mean 'swindle' or 'fleece', I think it's pretty clear where the idea came from.

[raysparx]

Hi Cowboy/quizmonster

that is great,I can now give all the cowboys I work with the correct reason why they are called "cowboys" it will be the topic of conversation tomorrow tea break.

[The Cowboy]

Thanks Quizmonster & Ray.

I'm called Cowboy because I collect western items i.e. Colt Peacemaker, Army Colts and a Winchester Rifle (all legal) and of course my boots and hats...lol. And I hate friggin line dancing.

Cowboy

[raysparx]

Hi,cowboy, must have been a great & scary time to be in the west,fascinating history though isn't it!

shame they were so harsh on the native indians though,it is my ambition to go through Oregon,utah,wyoming,virginia and Montana,what a great place the states is,have you ever been cowboy?

Quizmonster is great isn't he,so much info!!

[Quizmonster]

That's very kind of you, Ray, but - having been a member of this and similar Q & A sites for quite a few years - I've found and stored stacks of this sort of information. In addition, I have to hand lots of superb reference works, so most of the credit must go to these sources rather than me personally. Cheers

[electricblue]

Take me with you ray,,,,I only need one way,,,just leave me on the reservation,,,with the native's,and you can go off on your way with a happy heart?????What do you say????

[raysparx]

Hi electric, of course you can come,I have missed you so much "you light up my life" you can be my squaw I will call you prettybirdflyingdownbytherivercatchingflies

you can call me chief, I will worship you and cove you with wampum powder,this is the magic powder little plum uses, I have a wigwam and a horse you can play with my totem pole in the moonlight, take care Chief Ray xx

[electricblue]

That is an offer i just cant refuse ray,,,,I do like a decent totem pole,will you have your hair hanging loose???

[raysparx]

Hi electric,everything will be hanging loose!!!

[raysparx]

Sorry cowboy,it's gone off on a complete tangent here, apologies, Ray

[electricblue]

Gggrrrrrrrr!

[raysparx]

what you GRRRRRRrrring about electric???

are you still coming???

[electricblue]

I beg your pardon??????lol

[raysparx]

coming to the states???? lol

[electricblue]

Oh yes,,,,wild horses wouldn't stop me!!!

[raysparx]

thats great electric, take care,I will say goodnight in welsh for you, Ready? Nos da cariad

(goonight love) nice thing to say to your kiddies or hubby(wife)

Pronounced nos dar carry ad sweet eh?

Ray xx