Q 01/05

The word cowboy derives from vaquero, the Spanish term built on 'vaca'. What does vaca mean?

A) Cow

B) Horse

C) Ranch

D) Rope

Answer · why

A) Cow

The suffix -ero marks a trade, and the whole thing traces back to the Latin vaccarius, a cowherd.

Q 02/05

The vaquero traditions behind the American cowboy trace back to Spanish settlers from which region?

A) Catalonia

B) Galicia

C) Andalusia

D) The Basque Country

Answer · why

C) Andalusia

Elements like the short-stirrup jineta riding style and the hackamore go back to Moorish rule in Spain.

Q 03/05

In 1598, Don Juan de Oñate crossed the Rio Grande into New Mexico with roughly how many head of cattle?

A) 7,000

B) 17,000

C) 70,000

D) 170,000

Answer · why

A) 7,000

From that start, vaqueros drove cattle from New Mexico and later Texas all the way to Mexico City.

Q 04/05

In the British Isles between 1820 and 1850, the word 'cowboy' meant what?

A) A rustler of cattle

B) A dairy farmer's hired hand

C) A boy tending the family cows

D) A butcher's young apprentice

Answer · why

C) A boy tending the family cows

In 1880s Arizona the same word was an insult implying horse thief or outlaw, after the smuggling gang dubbed 'The Cowboys'.

Q 05/05

Historically, cowboys could be hired as soon as they had the skills, often at what age?

A) 8 or 9

B) 16 or 17

C) 12 or 13

D) 19 or 20

Answer · why

C) 12 or 13

The wrangler in charge of the spare horses was often the youngest or lowest-status hand on a drive.