Who Coined the Term "Rough Rider"?

1903

WHO COINED "ROUGH RIDER?"

Probability That It Was the Celebrated Authoress, "Ouida."

"While I was reading the other night," said a scholarly Washingtonian to a Post reporter, "I was brought face to face with another instance of the probable truth of the old saying that there is nothing new in the world. Every one is familiar with the term 'rough rider.' It is a phrase which was contributed in no slight degree to the popularity of the president. It is something to conjure by, and it gives a direct answer to the question, 'What's a name?' You can't tell me that the volunteer cavalry would have been watched with as much interest if they had been known only by their official designation.

"If my memory serves me correctly, Col. W. F. Cody, known as 'Buffalo Bill,' is credited with originating the term 'Rough Rider.' He knows the value of a name as well as any one, and at the time his word was not disputed. It may have been original with him, but he certainly was not the first to use it. As I said, the other night I Was reading: I am not ashamed to say that I was reading Ouida. I had picked up a copy of 'Idalia,' and had been reading some of her extravagant tributes to the hero, Erceldonne, when I caught the phrase 'rough rider.' That startled me, but I might have forgotten all about it if it had not been repeated a few pages later on. She had used it in all the significance it acquired during the Spanish-American war.

"As I do not know of its use prior to its appearance in 'Idalia,' which was published at least thirty years ago, I suppose we had better give Ouida the credit for originating the name that has aided in making one man president of the United States."

—Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Iowa, March 5, 1903, page 6.