Comments on: On the scout

By: Jake F

Jake F — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 13:18:53 +0000

The phrase “on the scout” is used in an old blues song by Memphis Minnie (Killer Diller Blues). It seems to carry at least a whiff of a connotation, in this context, of being “on the make.” Here’s the lyric:

Well, the ugliest lil thing you ever see before…
He didn’t be a tramp, he’s a hobo.
Hes a ugly lil somethin on the scout.
Hes a terrible lil creature hush yo’ mouth.
Hes a awful lil thing, he’s a killer diller from the south.

By: Troy G.

Troy G. — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 15:52:19 +0000

My interpretation of “on the scout” given the context of True Grit, is he was indeed, in the service of the Lord (methodist) in other words a “believer”, thus “I will see him, walking the streets of glory”…..

By: John E. Schlosser

John E. Schlosser — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 18:40:38 +0000

In the novel “True Grit,” I saw two uses of the phrase “on the scout.” Tom Chaney was said to be “on the scout.” Also, when asked whether Rooster should tell Moon’s brother what happened to him, the dying Moon says “It don’t matter. He knows I was on the scout.” No idea what the origin of this phrase is.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:55:12 +0000

“…a ‘scout’ was simply a knowledgeable rider who investigated the trail ahead to insure the travelers’ safety.”

Why do you use “insure” here rather than “ensure”? I always thought “insure” was used strictly in the sense of an insurance policy.