Muleskinner: meaning, definitions and examples
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muleskinner
[ ˈmjuːlˌskɪnər ]
occupation, cowboy
A muleskinner is a person who drives mules, particularly in the context of hauling goods or working with transportation. Historically, this term was commonly used in the American West, where such individuals played a vital role in the logistics of transportation of goods across rugged landscapes. Muleskinners are known for their skill in handling these animals and often worked alongside teams of horses or in the logging industry.
Synonyms
mule driver, packer, teamster.
Examples of usage
- The muleskinner skillfully guided the pack mules through the narrow mountain trail.
- In the old days, a muleskinner was essential for transporting heavy supplies.
- The legend of the muleskinner is celebrated in many Western films.
Translations
Translations of the word "muleskinner" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mulasqueiro
🇮🇳 गधा चलाने वाला
🇩🇪 Maultierführer
🇮🇩 penggembala mule
🇺🇦 муловод
🇵🇱 mularz
🇯🇵 ミュールスキナー
🇫🇷 conducteur de mules
🇪🇸 muleros
🇹🇷 katırçılık yapan
🇰🇷 노새 기수
🇸🇦 مدرب الحمير
🇨🇿 mulníkář
🇸🇰 mulník
🇨🇳 骡子驾驶员
🇸🇮 mulin
🇮🇸 múlasmiður
🇰🇿 мулшы
🇬🇪 მულების მძღოლი
🇦🇿 mule sürücüsü
🇲🇽 muleros
Etymology
The word 'muleskinner' can be traced back to the 19th century in the United States, particularly around the time of westward expansion. It is a compound word formed from 'mule', referring to the hybrid animal resulting from the breeding of a male donkey and a female horse, and 'skinner', an informal term for someone who drives or handles animals, often used in the context of working with teams of animals for hauling or labor purposes. As transportation needs grew with the expansion of the frontier, the role of the muleskinner became increasingly important, especially in mountainous areas where their skills were essential for navigating difficult terrains. The occupation faded with the rise of motorized transport but remains alive in folklore and nostalgia for the days of the Old West.