What does the cowboy slang meat mean?

"Meat" in cowboy slang doesn't refer to food. It's a term for money, often specifically cash.

Here's why:

* Historical context: Cowboys, especially in the 19th century, were often paid in cash. They had little need for anything else in the wild west.

* Figurative use: The term "meat" is used in a figurative sense, implying that cash is the essential element that "feeds" a person's needs or allows them to survive.

So, if a cowboy was short on "meat", he was short on cash.

Here are some examples of how "meat" might be used in cowboy slang:

* "I need to go to town and get some meat." (I need to get some cash.)

* "He's got more meat than he knows what to do with." (He's very wealthy.)

* "I lost all my meat in a poker game." (I lost all my money in a poker game.)