Dudes and Sagebrushers 



All visitors to the national parks are divided into two species, 

 "Dudes" and "Sagebrushers." 



Dudes are those who travel by train and motor stage. 



Sagebrushers roll their own cars over the mountains. 



The term "Dude" originated years ago in the Yellowstone and on 

 the Eaton Ranch in Wyoming. In those days the tourist who could 

 afford the luxury of train travel was considered a person of means. He 

 wore his good clothes, at least until he reached the ranch or the park, 

 and even then he was accused of washing behind his ears. To the old- 

 time horse wranglers on the ranches and to the old stagecoach drivers 

 the infallible test of a Dude was to look behind his ears. Dudes were a 

 bit finicky about the niceties of life, even when they were roughing it. 

 Try as he might to dress as a ranch hand and look like a regular 

 wrangler, the Dude always gave himself away by some little foible. 



From a term of derision, the title "Dude" has grown in a quarter 

 of a century to become one of distinction. At first it was used only by 

 the help in the parks. Now Dudes call each other Dudes and are proud 

 of it. The popularity of the Dude Ranch as a headquarters for sum 

 mer vacationists has helped to give the name distinction. From the 

 Yellowstone, the term spread to the other national parks, with certain 

 variations. In all the parks the Dude is 

 the visitor who arrives by train, travels by 

 motor stage, and stops at either the hotels 

 or the camps. Actually, a visitor's social 

 standing or wealth or taste have nothing 

 to do with his rating in a park. A Dude 

 is a Dude and a Sagebrusher is a Sage- 

 brusher. The latter may own the First 

 National Bank in his own home town and 

 arrive in the finest automobile, driven by a 

 liveried chauffeur, but as soon as he 

 crosses the park boundary he is a Sage 

 brusher, even if he occupies the presiden 

 tial suite at the Canyon Hotel. 



Nicknaming of people in the national parks does not stop with the 

 visitors. The hired help are called "Savages." They fall into several 

 groups. The dishwashers are called "Pearl Divers." The waitresses 

 are called "Heavers." Tent girls and chambermaids are known as 

 "Pillow Punchers." Chauffeurs are "Gear jammers" or just plain " 'J am ~ 



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