Top 3 Cowboy Quips

Every young boy wants to be a cowboy at some point or in some way.  It doesn't matter if they're Texas-born and bred, or... not.  And there's plenty there that would be a good model for today's generation.  I've always been partial to the image of the strong, silent cowboy, straight-talking when there's occasion to open his mouth.  That said, there's also some distinctive cowboy-isms that I've come across that I'm always excited to use appropriately - to elicit a smile or chuckle, and reinforce my meager cowboy bona fides.

Here's my top three:

"This ain't my first rodeo." Forget that I first heard it from a Asian dude.  One of my pet peeves is when someone assumes some (generally small, but still...) incompetence on my part.  I love this snappy comeback.  It consists of 40% words I'd never use in any other context, which I think really makes it stand out.  And gives a small suggestion not to mess with an experienced rodeo-er.

"That dog won't hunt." I've never hunted, much less with a dog.  But in my experience, a dog that won't make even a token effort to startle unsuspecting bunnies or what have you - that's pretty useless.  Much like your misguided ideas.

"Big hat, no cattle." Courtesy of Alan Weiss, for when one doesn't live up to the tall talk.  I'm not sure if it originates with the cowboys or mocks them, but in either case I'll see if I ever get a chance to drop it.