Rufus Sage, in his work, Rocky Mountain Life, paints a picture of the character of the mountain men:

A genuine mountaineer is a problem hard to solve. He seems a kind of sui genus, an oddity, both in dress, language, and appearance, from the rest of mankind. Associated with nature in her most simple forms by habit and manner of life, he gradually learns to despise the restraints of civilization, and assimilates himself to the rude and unpolished character of the scenes with which he is most conversant. Frank and open in his manners and generous in his disposition, he is, at the same time, cautious and reserved. In his frankness he will allow no one to acquire an undue advantage of him, though in his generosity, he will oftentimes expend the last cent to assist a fellow in need. Implacable in his hatred, he is also steadfast in his friendship, and knows no sacrifice too great for the benefit of those he esteems. Free as the pure air he breathes, and proudly conscious of his own independence, he will neither tyrannize over others, nor submit to be trampled upon, —and is always prepared to meet the perils he may chance to encounter, with an undaunted front. Inured to hardship and deprivation, his wants are few, and he is the last to repine at the misfortunes which so often befall him. Patience becomes as it were interwoven with his very nature, and he submits to the greatest disasters without a murmur. His powers of endurance, from frequent exercise, attain a strength and capacity almost incredible, such as are altogether unknown to the more delicately nurtured. His is a trade, to become master of which requires a long and faithful apprenticeship. Of this none seems more conscious than himself, and woe to the "greenhorn" who too prematurely assumes to be "journeyman." His ideas, his arguments, his illustrations, all partake of the unpolished simplicity of his associations; though abounding often in the most vivid imagery, pointed inferences, and luminous expositions, they need a key to make them intelligible to the novice.

Trappers starting for the Beaver Hunt, by Alfred Jacob Miller

Awesome...Thanks

An oddity.


For sure!

So ya went Indian didga?

k snow, do you have any access to Jstor?

If you did (I don't) there is an old publication about trapper speech and how it was distinct with samples of the jargon of the mountain men.. I think it is titled "Old Trapper Talk". Guys like you and me would kill for access.

No I do not. I should ask my brother, he might. He is a University librarian.

I have an older paperback, that has some of the old talk and phrases. I'll dig it out this evening. Pretty sure some of those old phrases would land me in HR here at work, LOL.

For kicks just look up the preamble on jstor "Old trapper talk" Their jargon was a mix of french, english, spanish, Indian. And the english parts would make a sailor blush.

This publication is from 1938.

Got another request k snow. How about something about the love life of them hardy mountaineers? Marriage? Country marriages?

thanks for posting