COWBOY LINGO Just like any other group, cowboys have their own special language. If you hang around the bunkhouse, the rodeo, or anyplace else cowboys gather, you may hear some of these words being used. See how often you can use them while talking to your pards. BOOT HILL cemetery DUDE city slicker BROKE that a horse is gentle and ready to ride HAND a ranch worker BRONC an unbroken horse, or a horse that, though broke, is still a bit wild HIGHTAIL to run off or get away fast HOSS horse BUCKAROO cowboy (from the Spanish word vaquero) HUNG OFF a foot caught in the stirrup of the saddle BUNKHOUSE living quarters for the cowboys working on a ranch MAVERICK a stray, unbranded calf MUSTANG wild horse OUTFIT a ranch worker's or a cowboy's pickup truck CATCH PEN a corral for holding cattle or horses PARD partner, friend RIDE THE LINE check the fences to fix any that are broken RIG saddle CORRAL fenced off area for livestock SPREAD a ranch COWBOY UP mount up and ride out, or grin and bear it STOVE UP hurt, injured, or crippled cowboy CRITTER cow or other animal TRY effort ("Bill has a lot of try in him.") CROW HOP a mini?buck; the horse rounds its back and hops WRANGLER the cowboy who takes care of the horses DOGIE an orphaned calf DRAW a lottery that matches riders and animals at rodeo events WRECK a riding accident.