Author Stephen Bly (center) with sons, Russell (left) and Aaron (right)
A Big Galoot Here, A Little Galoot There
I stared at a picture of my two oldest boys the other day. What big galoots. And it seems to me there’s one trend in our modern society that’s dangerously alarming. Yet, no one seems concerned about it. That is, every generation gets taller and bigger than the previous one. Now, if you project this on out, it holds hazardous implications.
What To Expect
My great-grandson will need twelve-foot ceilings in his house and his kids will get a sore back from stooping down to stare into the refrigerator. A great-granddaughter will need to ride a draft horse to do barrel racing.
My Daddy No Galoot
Now, my daddy sized a good four inches and fifty pounds smaller than me. But my two grown sons grew into galoots. A man could get cold standing in their shadows. I suppose my youngest son at age thirteen will range about as big. You might say I’ve got two big galoots and one little galoot.
Old West Slang
That word “galoot” came originally from the East as a slang word meaning an awkward or simple fellow. But once it got associated with the West, it became used mainly as a sort of endearment for the man not in attendance. Not necessarily derogatory at all. And by the late nineteenth century, it became synonymous with hombre or man and friend.
That’s why my youngest, Aaron, sometimes gets called a little galoot. It’s a nickname that distinguishes him from the other sons. He doesn’t seem to mind as long as it comes with a smile.
Old West Galoots
Author Stephen Bly with son, Mike
The Old West crammed with nicknames. You had Wild Bill and Buffalo Bill and Crooked Nose George. Also, Three Fingered Charley, Sawtoothed Ed Mason, and Cactus McQuarry. It’s always been a trend when men gather together to call out nicknames.
Jesus and Nicknames
Jesus didn’t mind calling his disciples by other names. He called Simon “the rock.” He referred to James and John as Sons of Thunder, which I presume indicates their willingness to be rather explosive in speech and action.
Now, all of this caused me to wonder. What nickname would the Lord give to you or to me? Maybe we ought to give more thought to what kind of reputation we’re building with him.
What Names Mean
I’ve been told the name Stephen in Greek means the Crowned One. That’s a mighty princely title, but I’m not at all sure the Lord would select that one from me. Maybe he’d call me Impetuous Steve, or the Wild Ox, or the Idaho Tornado. Chances are, he’d just call me a big galoot. He can, of course, call me anything he wants. Only I’m hopin’, whatever it is, he does it wearin’ a smile.
Stephen Bly
Copyright 1993
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“He’s Such a Big Galoot” audio podcast by award-winning western author Stephen Bly. Sponsored by BlyBooks.com Legacy Series.
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