wildcatter

American  

[wahyld-kat-er] / ˈwaɪldˌkæt ər /

noun

1. an oil prospector.

2. a person who promotes risky or unsound business ventures.

3. a person who participates in a wildcat strike.

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Etymology

Origin of wildcatter

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; wildcat + -er ¹

Example Sentences

While Exxon Mobil balked at the idea of returning to a country that twice nationalized its assets, the oil-field service firms that work with national oil companies and Texas wildcatters alike are raring to go.

From The Wall Street Journal

Such companies are the early movers in the oil patch, working for Texas wildcatters and national oil companies alike.

From The Wall Street Journal

Pennsylvania was lousy with wildcatters, all of them convinced they’d struck it rich.

From MarketWatch

“That wildcatter ethos” — marked by willingness to invest millions of dollars in projects with uncertain outcomes — “is exactly what’s needed,” Cranberg said.

From MarketWatch

“That wildcatter ethos” — a willingness to invest millions of dollars in projects with uncertain outcomes — “is exactly what’s needed,” Cranberg said.

From MarketWatch