Question: The term highway robbery was used by the sheep herder; was highway a word at the time?
raywest
16th Oct 2025
Big Jake (1971)
7th Sep 2017
Big Jake (1971)
Question: At the beginning of the move it is established that Big Jake has not seen his sons for 10 years, but it appears he is close enough geographically to be found, summoned and arrive before the bad guys can get more than a days' ride away from the ranch. Was he really that bad of a dad or is his arrival at the ranch a bit too magical?
Answer: He has been gone for 10 years but knows "Juan and the little boy", not 10 years old I assume.
Answer: It doesn't help explain locating Big Jake or time involved, but as to helping some with the quickness of him coming to help, remember he came in on a train, he didn't ride back home.
Answer: Yes, it existed then. The word "highway" originates from the Old English heahweg, a compound of high and way. The "high" referred to many early major roads, especially ones built by the Romans, which were physically elevated mounds of dirt to protect them from flooding. The common term was transported to the American colonies. Over time, it evolved, with "high" meaning "main" or "major," as in "high street" or "high road." "Highway" became a general term for a major public route.
raywest ★