Annie Oakley

slang

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June 18, 2026

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Annie Oakley, born Phoebe Ann Mosey (1860-1926), was a renowned American markswoman who gained fame as a star performer in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. She was known for her incredible shooting skills, earning the nickname "Little Sure Shot". Oakley could perform astonishing feats, such as splitting a playing card edge-on from 30 paces or shooting dimes tossed in the air.1

The slang term "Annie Oakley" originated from her act of shooting holes through a playing card thrown into the air. This resembled a ticket punched by a conductor, leading to complimentary tickets being called "Annie Oakleys" by 1910.123

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Annie Oakley
…punched complimentary tickets as “Annie Oakleys”). She was a great success on the Wild West Show’s European trips. In 1887 she was presented to Queen Victoria, and later in Berlin she performed her cigarette trick with, at his insistence, Crown Prince Wilhelm (later Kaiser Wilhelm II) holding the cigarette.…
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…punched complimentary tickets as “Annie Oakleys”). She was a great success on the Wild West Show’s European trips. In 1887 she was presented to Queen Victoria, and later in Berlin she performed her cigarette trick with, at his insistence, Crown Prince Wilhelm (later Kaiser Wilhelm II) holding the cigarette.…
Read More