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Bull cook

Posted by Smokey Stover on May 03, 2008 at 19:46:

In Reply to: Bull cook posted by Wayne on April 30, 2008 at 16:00:

: Where does the term 'bull cook' originate?

My shallow efforts at finding the answer lead me only to the term as used in logging camps in the "North Woods." The bull cook was a chore boy whose duties were many, but began with feeding the oxen early in the morning (hence his title of "bull cook". Besides this he might be seen sweeping the bunkhouse, feeding the pigs, filling the wood-boxes next to the stoves, washing out blankets. It was also his duty to ring the gong in the morning that summoned the men to work.

I'm no expert on the logging industry, but I think the era of "bull cooks" was probably from the second half of the 19th century up to the time of World War I.


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