rodeo

Everyday

1. A rodeo is a show and competition where cowboys and cowgirls ride bucking horses and bulls, rope calves and race horses round barrels. tree →
2. (informal) A rodeo can mean any noisy, chaotic event. tree →
3. «This isn't my first rodeo» (US, informal) means «I have done this before, I have experience». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and geography it belongs to ranching areas of the USA, Canada (the Calgary Stampede), Australia and Mexico. Some people argue rodeos can be cruel to animals, while others say they are a tradition; both views are discussed. Phrases: «go to the rodeo», «rodeo rider», «not my first rodeo».

Examples

• We watched barrel racing at the rodeo. tree →
• The cowboy stayed on the bull for eight seconds. tree →
• The Calgary Stampede has one of the biggest rodeos in the world. tree →
• Some animal charities say rodeos are cruel to the animals. tree →
• Don't worry about me, this isn't my first rodeo. tree →
• Rodeo clowns help protect riders who fall off. tree →
• The town holds a rodeo every summer. tree →

Note

Countable: a rodeo, rodeos (no «e» before the s). Said «ROH-dee-oh» or «roh-DAY-oh». It comes from Spanish «rodear», to go round, because cattle were rounded up.