Like a Man Card, Only Western?

December 20, 2012 1:50 PM

Has anyone ever heard the expression "cowboy card?" References? Insight? Ideas for search terms that won't just get me greeting cards?
posted by newrambler to Writing & Language (9 answers total)

I think we'll need more context here.
posted by empath at 2:01 PM on December 20, 2012

I just heard it the other day...I think it was used in S1 Ep4 of Veep, referring to being a "true American" (as opposed to an "illegal"...the context was a bunch of white politicians negotiating deals regarding immigration and such in a Southwest state, over steak dinners).

I could be wrong about the meaning; perhaps another MeFite will jump in soon and dispel or corroborate.
posted by iamkimiam at 2:02 PM on December 20, 2012

Nickname for King card in Texas Holdem?
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 2:03 PM on December 20, 2012 [2 favorites]

Saying someone earned (or kept) their ________ card is a pretty common construction. It means they did something that gave credibility in some skill.
posted by 2bucksplus at 2:07 PM on December 20, 2012 [2 favorites]

You can earn your "black card", too.
posted by Ideefixe at 2:15 PM on December 20, 2012

Is it like the "pirate" card? (basically pirates can get away with anything because, HEY, I'm a PIRATE.) See Pirates of the Carribean movie series for greater insight.
posted by Ys at 2:19 PM on December 20, 2012

Yeah, I think it's just an expression meaning you've done something to earn the "title" of Cowboy. Man, he really earned his Cowboy Card on that ride, or whatever. Of course, Cowboy could have a few different meanings.
posted by COD at 2:23 PM on December 20, 2012

Or you could "play the cowboy card" like "playing the race card".
posted by Rock Steady at 2:25 PM on December 20, 2012 [1 favorite]

I think "playing the cowboy card" would be something like "Cowboy up!" (As in "toughen the hell up and take it like a cowboy would take it!")
posted by Sunburnt at 2:45 PM on December 20, 2012