By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Less than a month ago, my city, Houston, met the challenge of Hurricane Beryl. I’ve experienced hurricanes before, but this one got my attention. I felt like I was living in a documentary about those who attempt to ride out a storm. And don’t get me started on the days without power in 90+ degree temps and high humidity that had felt like temps around 115!
Many people loaded up their vehicles and “Got out of Dodge.” My husband and I talked about the phrase, where did it originate and its initial meaning. My initial reaction settled on Dodge City, Kansas, the scene of many wild west books and movies, like “Gunsmoke.” Husband claimed my explanation was too simple. So off I went to explore the meaning.
I love the history and origin of words, etymology, so I began with dodge. It first appeared in the Scottish and Northern England culture around the 1560’s as “one who dodges or evades” in any sense, especially “one practiced in artful shifts.”
In the 1630’s, dodge was used as a noun to mean “a shifty contrivance or clever trick.” In the1670’s and 1680s, the definition morphed from “start or shift suddenly” to “evade, swindle, or play tricks.” The article provides interesting information on how the word changed to what it means today.
Dodge City, Kansas received its name from a US military man named Richard L. Dodge. And it does make me wonder how he received his surname. Ancestry.com gave insight into the English name, but I’m holding “to my guns.”
I found this fascinating story from a publication titled The Sunflower with an article by Tyler Guthrie, a book review. “Review: Where the phrase ‘Get out of Dodge’ comes from.” If you’re curious about Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson’s roles in Dodge City, you’ll enjoy the article and possibly the book by Tom Clavin. From what I’ve read, I think I would have been looking for another place to live.
By now, you’ve read enough to label me as a Word-Nerd, but that’s okay. You decide which one of us was right, or possibly both of us to keep the peace in the Mills’ household.
The meaning of “Get out of Dodge” has changed over the years. For me, it means to leave and not mess around. What does it mean to you?
