Why Do We Say 'Maverick'?

The sound and shape of the word "maverick" fits its definition so well that to see it on the page, or hear it spoken, summons up a feeling of righteous insubordination. It’s defined by Merriam-Webster as “an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party.” It proudly and defiantly calls out its independence, as if it exists purely to live up to its own definition. Rebellious, a little romantic, and certainly gritty—some would say uniquely American. Maverick.

Study its history and you will see what makes this English word really interesting. Maverick was a family name—a name that somehow made its mark in history more than once throughout its chronology. Through the actions of strong-willed, nonconforming idealists, “maverick” branded itself in our language for representing not only a rebel mindset but a rebel heart, too. As you’ll see, mavericks stand up for what they believe is right, defiant in the face of the crowd.

Samuel Maverick

Our story starts with Samuel Maverick, a Texas lawyer, politician, and land baron born in 1803. Maverick was deeply involved in the Texas Revolution. He was one of the signees of the Texas Declaration of Independence, forming the Republic of Texas (later annexed by the United States). But despite his rebellious politics, it wasn’t until later in his life that he made his mark on the language.

Mavericks stand up for what they believe is right, defiant in the face of the crowd.

Maverick had purchased quite a bit of land in Texas, and in some cases, had received cattle as payment. But Maverick had no interest in owning cattle. It wasn’t his thing. Land was his thing. Nevertheless, he now owned cattle. And though it was customary to brand cattle with a hot branding iron to mark them as your own, Maverick refused. He claimed he didn’t want to be cruel to the animals by inflicting pain on them.

Thus, a “maverick” became a term for an unbranded cow. To this day, as a result of Samuel Maverick's act of compassionate defiance, the word “maverick” lives on to describe a rebel.

It should be noted, however, that many people claimed Maverick's reasons for not branding cattle were so he could claim all unbranded cattle as his own. There’s always a cynic.

The Story Continues

Samuel Maverick’s grandson, Maury Maverick, was also a bit of an idealistic rebel. And he is said to have coined the term “gobbledygook” (Shakespeare would have loved this family), a word which also made its way into modern English to describe nonsense language and unnecessary technical jargon.

Maury Maverick began...

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