Bookworm wrote:mrsmack wrote:My dictionary says cowpuncher (one word) means "a cowboy." Can anyone explain this term in this context to me? I've never heard it before.
Independent troubleshooter or problem solver.
Yes, but keep in mind the European concept of "Cowboy" is very different than the American one.
The American Cowboy view is an ideal - independent, self-sufficient, and reliable. Well, usually reliable, though occasionally prone to wild adventure of some kind (re: bar fight).
The European Cowboy view is renegade, self-centered, and careless. Your basic untrustworthy hell-raiser - all bar fight and no cattle drive.
I've learned this from my time in Britain from several conversations and various mentions on TV. In one spy drama, for example, the agency had a member go "cowboy" on them -- still on their side, but out to do damage. It seems the "Clockwork Universe" ideal is still very common in society, expecting a place for everyone, and everyone in their place. So if you don't fit, or try to change places (better yourself), you are a threat to the whole structure. Individual independence is seen as a threat by people who think like this, because then "you're out of control" by society (the state in particular).
Americans see the Cowboy who can be trusted to move 500 cattle hundreds of miles, left to their own devices, and get them to their destination safely. So what if they blow off a little steam afterwards.
Europeans see the bar fight, and dismiss them as just another bunch of low-life jerks who need to be put in their place.
Sharing a common language doesn't mean sharing a common meaning. It was an eye-opener for me! This is well shown by a cowboy joke:
An English Gentleman is riding through the West, on his fine horse, wearing polished boots, riding pants, coat, gloves, and bowler hat. He's passing a large cattle ranch, and is curious about the owner. Along the road, the comes across a cowboy working to mend the barbed wire fence. He's wearing jeans, well worn chaps, sun faded shirt and vest, thick leather gloves, and a slouching hat. His equally scruffy horse is grazing nearby.
"You there!" says the Gentleman, "Who's your master?"
The cowboy doesn't even look up as he continues braiding the barbed wire repair.
"That sumbitch hasn't been born yet."