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What is a Maverick?
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by Karen Hatter | September 6, 2008 at 05:12 am
4655 views | 75 Recommendations | 75 comments
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I've always been fascinated with language, mainly the use of words, hopefully, with one acquiring the skill to string words together that create just the right shading and nuance desired to fully express one's thoughts.
I've lived long enough to learn that as time passes, often the meanings of words, their etymology, changes from the original definition given.
To hear Mom tell it, I've been stringing words together since I was first born so, I guess, having an interest in their usage might be a natural occurrence.
But, I wandered off track. Maverick. My paperback Merriam-Webster lists as its first definition:
Samuel A. Maverick (1803-1870), American pioneer who did not brand his calves.
Answers.com expounds further and defines 'maverick' as:
n. An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother.
From Tamu.edu:
.... Maverick returned to San Antonio from the Matagorda Peninsula, he left herds of cattle ranging freely on the rugged coastland that were periodically rounded up, branded and driven to a family ranch near Floresville. It is believed that the term maverick referring to unidentified, unbranded cattle originated from the Maverick surname. Maverick died in 1870 and Maverick County, Texas is named in his honor.I've learned that opinions vary as to why he shunned the practice. He was reported to have said he didn't want to be cruel to the animals. Neighbors of the time seemed to have had a different explanation.
Neighbors said he didn't brand his cattle so, when anyone saw any unmarked cattle roaming about, most would declare it must have been one of Samuel's or, in other words, a Maverick, allowing him to lay claim to them.
The word later evolved from meaning an unbranded range animal to be redefined to mean a nonconformist, one who goes against the crowd.
Who knew, I mean, about the cattle thing? I know I didn't! Of course, the evolution of the word 'maverick' is an odd one, since the animals themselves didn't initially rebel against being branded.
Well, maybe they did but, they haven't left us their accounts or thoughts on this matter.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (75)
at 06:29 on September 6th, 2008
Very good !
Did not know about this. Thanks !!
at 06:33 on September 6th, 2008
Karen Hatter, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 06:34 on September 6th, 2008
Karen Hatter, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 06:36 on September 6th, 2008
It's a Ford, I used to own one
like the idea of McCain being president, it was the worst car I ever owned
lol
at 06:38 on September 6th, 2008
I had no idea.
at 07:21 on September 6th, 2008
I have heard this storry befor, but seems rather to trite to be true for the word to become world wide so soon. BUT sandwich was named after Lord Sandwich, a gaming lord of the regency period in England who did not want to leave the gaming tables to eat when his luck was running so asked fro meat inbetween two slices of bread so the sandwich was born.
Back to Maverick. English is a language taken in many others, American English has taken in many more plus the mispronounced and misspelt words and slang that are now considered to be ENGLISH???????
perhaps a deeper investigatio might prove otherwise. ie:- was there a word for wild cattle in native american. that was then batardised into american english. was Maverick the man, using the name for monitory gain????
at 07:29 on September 6th, 2008
Good article. A maverick in politics is one who isn't beholden to Party bosses, and then later he might become a Leader or fade into the woodwork. The opposite of Maverick might be Apparatchik.
at 07:35 on September 6th, 2008
The sources that discuss the etymology of the word 'maverick' indicate that the original use of the word, referring to straying cattle, was implemented over one hundred years ago.
at 07:44 on September 6th, 2008
So are we to assume you are non-prejudicially voting this year for a change?
at 07:53 on September 6th, 2008
Only a fool would have bought one of those cars so I guess you will be voting for Obama.
at 07:57 on September 6th, 2008
May I add Or Obama, Biden, Weanie, Weasel, Pelosi, Carter, Marx, Ayers, .......
at 07:58 on September 6th, 2008
You are really going to be upset in November.
at 08:19 on September 6th, 2008
Obama is a maverick too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SODIFZXIPA
at 08:22 on September 6th, 2008
If your allusion to someone being upset was meant to address me, as you are not a confidant of mine, you would be incapable of determining my emotional state on any level.
at 08:29 on September 6th, 2008
that tone sounded a little like upset to me and it is only September.
at 08:40 on September 6th, 2008
Ol' Maverick used to keep those cattle on islands on the peninsula, using the seawaters as a natural corral.
at 08:59 on September 6th, 2008
Maverick. A person who comes to mind as a modern day Maverick would be;.
One that can make his or her own decisions based upon their life expierences and stand by them. One that respects the points of view, from all sides.One that is prepared to bring on a transformation and bring people out of the darkness. One that can instill something postive in the minds of people. One that can make a right from a wrong. One that displays confidence. One that speaks to you and me in a manner that is honest and respectful. One that speaks with intelligence. One who thanks his Family for the person he has become today.
Maverick = Barack Obama.
at 09:01 on September 6th, 2008
Karen Hatter, I like this story. It's good stuff. I explained why in a seperate comment location
at 09:03 on September 6th, 2008
From the Boston.com:
Transcendent McCain. "I have agreed with President Bush far more than I have disagreed. And on the transcendent issues, the most important issues of our day, I have been totally in agreement and support President Bush." ("Meet the Press")
at 09:11 on September 6th, 2008
My thanks to the gentleman from Texas.
at 09:15 on September 6th, 2008
We're not the only ones who bastardize language. Historically it's proven that the word virgin USED TO MEAN an UNmarried woman, no matter how many men or women she'd done the horizontal dance of love with.
And in more recent history, Sodomy used to mean rectal penetration, but now some laws have it connected with everything from that to bestiality.
at 09:20 on September 6th, 2008
My thanks to all who have read this, for the flags and the substantive comments shared here at the thread.
at 09:56 on September 6th, 2008
Karen Hatter, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 10:04 on September 6th, 2008
Karen Hatter, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 10:25 on September 6th, 2008
I think that means I was for Bush before I was for Bush.
at 10:26 on September 6th, 2008
Karen Hatter, I like this story. It's good stuff. Certainly a Maverick by any other name, meant dateless fridays, especially with Fords answer to gas and gutless economy.
at 10:59 on September 6th, 2008
It has been said that "imitation is the greatest form of flattery." So, I'm sure that the left's continued use of our talking points is very flattering to Mr. Rove, Mr. Bush, Mr. Cheney, and all the other neo-cons the left so vilifies. lmao
at 11:04 on September 6th, 2008
How was outing his grandmother as a racist thanking her? Oh well, it doesn't really matter. Obama could have done crack, gone into business with a shady businessman, befriended a terrorist, gone to a racist church, and be for redoing botched abortions and you would still be voting for him.
at 11:05 on September 6th, 2008
Wow!
Now, pointing out GOP lies, flip flops and holding them accountable to what they is "imitation".
Congratulations!
We have a winner for the dizziest spin of the week.
Now, back on topic. I've uploaded a photo of ol' Sam.
at 11:15 on September 6th, 2008
The whole "for it before he was against it" line was directed at Mr. Kerry's "nuanced" position on the Iraq war. You just changed it around a little to do a little snide attack against Mr. McCain. You're the one spinning here dunk.