Maverick

This American expression has come to symbolise unconventional or nonconformist behaviour and describes those who do not adhere to the herd instinct. It all stems from a Texas rancher called Sam Maverick (1803-1870) who did not brand his cattle. He was, however, a very important and influential figure in Texas, so much so that cowboys on the range would add any unbranded yearlings they found to Sam’s herd and very soon all unbranded cattle were viewed as Maverick’s. Thus, by not branding his cattle i.e. going against the conventional wisdom, he actually benefitted. It is by no means certain that this was a clearly thought out or planned strategy on Sam’s part. He was simply against branding on the grounds of animal cruelty and trusted range riders not to steal and brand his cattle. In any event, it paid off and Sam prospered. By 1867, Sam’s ‘maverick’ thinking had passed into the language. Today successful, nonconformist entrepreneurs, like David Branson, are proud to be called mavericks.