Ever wondered what Gabby Hayes or Andy Devine was saying when they used some of that colorful western slang? Old west stories, western movies and radio shows have been throwing around these words and phrase for years. So gathered from a vast multitude of sources, period newspapers, and books is a collection of western slang from the Old West and there meanings.

Above Snakes: If you were "above snakes, "you were above ground: meaning still alive.

Ace-high: Depending upon the context, this might mean "first class and respected", or it could mean a winning poker hand.

According to Hoyle: Correct, by the book. "Hoyle" is a dictionary of rules for card playing games.

A Hog-killin' Time: A real good time. "We went to the Rodeo Dance and had us a hog-killin' time."

A Lick and a Promise: To do a haphazard job. "She just gave it a lick and a promise."

All Down But Nine: Missed the point, not understood. This referenced missing all nine pins in bowling.

All to Pieces: Completely, absolutely.

Anasazi: Navajo for "ancient ones," this word describes an ancient tribe of the Southwest. Some Navajo say this meaning is a mistranslation for a word that means "ancient enemies." Another interpretation is "ancient ancestors."

Arikara (also Arikaree): This term is believed to mean "horns," after this tribe's ancient custom of wearing hair ornaments that stuck upright and were made of bone.

Arbuckle's: Slang for coffee, taken from a popular brand of the time. "I need a cup of Arbuckle's."

At Sea: At a loss, not comprehending. "When it comes to understanding women, I'm at sea."

Bach: To bachelor it. For men to keep house without a woman's help. Pronounced, and sometimes spelled, "batch".

Back down: Yield, retract.

Bad Egg: A bad person.

Balled up: Confused.

Barkin' at a knot: Doing something useless; wasting your time.

Bazoo: Mouth. "Shut your big bazoo."

Badlands: From a French term meaning "bad country for travel." The term applied to barren areas of South Dakota, as well as other inhospitable western locations.

Balled Up: Confused.

Bee: A gathering of friends, family and neighbors to get a specific job done like a woman's quilting bee.

Bee in your bonnet: An idea.

Bear Sign: A cowboy term for donuts made while they were on the range. A cook who could and would make them was highly regarded.

Beat the devil around the stump: To evade responsibility or a difficult task. "Quit beatin' the devil around the stump and ask that girl to marry you."

Beef: To kill, originally from killing a cow for food. "Doc Holiday beefed a man today."

Beeves: Cattle.

Bend an Elbow: Have a drink. "He's been known to bend an elbow with the boys."

Bender: Drunk. "He's off on another bender."

Benzinery: A low-grade drinking place. Cheap whiskey was sometimes called benzene.

Best Bib and Tucker: Wearing your best clothes. "There's a dance Saturday, so put on your best bib and tucker."

Between Hay and Grass: Neither man nor boy, half-grown.

Biddy: Hen.  Used to refer to a nagging or complaining woman.

Big Bug: Important person, official, boss. "He's one of the railroad big bugs."

Biggest Toad in the Puddle: The most important person in a group.

Bilk: Cheat.

Blow: Boast, brag. "Don't listen to him, that's just a lot of blow."

Blowhard: Braggart, bully.

Blow-up: Fit of anger. "He and the missus had a blow-up, but it's over, now."

Bone Orchard: Cemetery.

Bosh: Nonsense. "It was absolute bosh what he said."

Boss: The best, top. "The Alhambra Saloon sells the boss whiskey in town."

Buckaroo: A cowboy from the desert country of Oregon, Nevada, California, or Idaho.

Buck up: Cheer up; chin up.

Bug Juice: Booze, firewater, whiskey.

Bullboat: A craft with a willow frame covered by buffalo hide.

Bulldoze: To bully, threaten, or coerce.