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Henry74 Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary
Drugstore cowboy
Hello,
It just occurred to me that I might have always misunderstood the meaning of the movie title "Drugstore cowboy".
In my natve language we use Sunday to refer to someone who is particularly bad at something and who, in social situations, might tend to compensate by giving themselves airs of being knowlegeable or good at it. For example, someone who likes to pose as a philosopher when all they do is venting their absurd opinions might be referred to as a "Sunday philosopher".
I imagine that this use of the word Sunday must have originated at a time when a town's social life revolved around
people gathering at the corner coffee shop on Sunday to discuss all manner of topics – not to mention drinking and playing cards.
I was wondering if Drugstore couldn't have a similar meaning.
That would make a drugstore cowboy someone whose "cowboy-ty" wouldn't extend beyond the hat and the gait.
Am I on the right track?
Can I say drugstore philosopher for someone who likes to pose as one even though they are really bad at it?
Thank you for your help
H.
It just occurred to me that I might have always misunderstood the meaning of the movie title "Drugstore cowboy".
In my natve language we use Sunday to refer to someone who is particularly bad at something and who, in social situations, might tend to compensate by giving themselves airs of being knowlegeable or good at it. For example, someone who likes to pose as a philosopher when all they do is venting their absurd opinions might be referred to as a "Sunday philosopher".
I imagine that this use of the word Sunday must have originated at a time when a town's social life revolved around
people gathering at the corner coffee shop on Sunday to discuss all manner of topics – not to mention drinking and playing cards.
I was wondering if Drugstore couldn't have a similar meaning.
That would make a drugstore cowboy someone whose "cowboy-ty" wouldn't extend beyond the hat and the gait.
Am I on the right track?
Can I say drugstore philosopher for someone who likes to pose as one even though they are really bad at it?
Thank you for your help
H.
Top answer
" It simply refers to a bunch of drug addicts who rob pharmacies (drugstores) and hospitals for drugs to feed their habit. The word "drugstore" is not used metaphorically in English. However, the word "cowboy" is used figuratively in English, as it is here, to indicate a person who is a drifter, criminal, free spirit, ***, irresponsible person, street smart person, unconventional person, non-conformist, etc.
- " It simply refers to a bunch of drug addicts who rob pharmacies (drugstores) and hospitals for drugs to feed their habit.
- The word "drugstore" is not used metaphorically in English.
- However, the word "cowboy" is used figuratively in English, as it is here, to indicate a person who is a drifter, criminal, free spirit, ***, irresponsible person, street smart person, unconventional person, non-conformist, etc.
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2 Answers
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There's no "higher meaning" in the word "drugstore." It simply refers to a bunch of drug addicts who rob pharmacies (drugstores) and hospitals for drugs to feed their habit. The word "drugstore" is not used metaphorically in English.
However, the word "cowboy" is used figuratively in English, as it is here, to indicate a person who is a drifter, criminal, free spirit, ***, irresponsibl
However, the word "cowboy" is used figuratively in English, as it is here, to indicate a person who is a drifter, criminal, free spirit, ***, irresponsibl
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