buffalo chips

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. the dried dung of buffalo used as fuel, especially by early settlers on the western plains.

Word History and Origins

Origin of buffalo chips¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

In the 1950s, stores sold gold-painted bison dung referred to as “buffalo chips.”

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On the ride out, Perilee had explained that homestead fires were fed with dried buffalo chips.

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Scraps of wood and "buffalo chips" made our fire, and presently Din had a good "feed" ready.

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Regarding the other conveniences, such as fuel and other things, they had little difficulty, as the buffalo chips supplied the demands in abundance.

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This man was so wonderful that he could change even the buffalo chips that you see on the prairie into meat.

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Related Words

• compost 
• droppings 
• dung 
• excrement 
• mulch