I'm Just Part of the Gotcha Media with their concern about words


The other night, Susan and I were having a discussion about McCain and Palin and their liberal use of the word maverick.

I said that I rather resented the use of Maury Maverick's name by a couple of right-wing nuts. After all, among liberal Texans, especially liberal San Antonians, Maverick is a name that evokes some of the finest memories.

Susan hastened to inform me that a maverick is an unbranded cow or horse.

Yes, I said, but I'm sure it comes from the name Maverick first--at least that's what I've always heard.

Since all of this was pillow talk (aren't you guys jealous?), I waited until morning to look it up.

It turns out that we were both right and both a little bit off.

The word maverick does indeed stem from the men of the Maverick clan, but it comes from Samuel Maverick (Maury's grandfather) who was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and a great liberal who, by the way, didn't brand his cattle. So an unbranded cow was often called Maverick's.

But just as I was getting ready to do some research about the Mavericks and write a scathing post, Charles Karel Bouley at Huffington beat me to it.

Comments

Thanks for posting that, Professor J. I didn't know anything about the Maverick family. I love that they are screaming liberals!

I posted the "Maverick" TeeVee theme song on my blog the day after the Biden/Palin debates. James Garner is a screaming liberal, too, you know. :)
http://tinyurl.com/4uxolm
Mrs. G. said…
Now define Joe Sixpack.
Karen Jensen said…
I do believe that Minnesota Matron has defined it for us.
Gina said…
Thank you so much for this! My kids were asking me what "maverick" means and the dictionary simple said "a wild unbranded animal". They thought that was funny enough but they will love this one.
Jodi Anderson said…
Oooh, what a GREAT article (and topic in general); Thanks so much for sharing that link.
My friends, I'm going to check the article out now.
BWHAHAHAHAH -- "MY FRIENDS" (from Jenn@ Juggling life)

Gawd. If I hear him say "my friends" one more time I really AM going to throw up.
Scout said…
Yep, and the true Maverick family has disowned the pretend mavericks.
I knew it had something to do with an old Texan who didn't brand his cattle. But you help defuzzy my memory. Thanks!
Maverick is also Madonna's record label.

Erum.

Yeah...I had nothing good to add to the conversation.

Hey! I can see Portugal from my house!
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said…
Why has it taken me this long to put together the word with its real meaning? And I live in the same state you do!!
Anonymous said…
A Maverick family member was recently quoted (and I bet it's in the Slate mag, no, it's at fivethirtyeight.com) denouncing Mr. McCain as Not a Maverick, as he's clearly branded!
Tui Snider said…
Thanks for the history lesson, Prof J. I'm a sucker for etymology, I tell you!

I attended a party last night and shared this newfound tidbit with a few folks.

Thanks for making me look so good! :)

~Tui

Popular posts from this blog

Embarrassing Personal Revelation #892

Holy Shit! I am going to get a job washing dishes for a living!

First comes love. . .