Prairie coal was a humorous and practical name for dried dung burned on the plains.
Metaphor
The expression compares local dung fuel with mined coal used elsewhere.
Source caution
Writers sometimes used the term jokingly, so tone matters when reading diaries.
Frequently asked questions
What does bodewash mean?
Dried buffalo or cow dung used as fuel.
Is it the same as buffalo chips?
The terms can overlap, though buffalo chips is more familiar.
Where did the word come from?
It developed from American French bois de vache.
Why did people burn dung?
Because wood was scarce or costly to transport.
Did only settlers use it?
No. Indigenous and pastoral communities had longstanding fuel knowledge.
Is indoor burning safe?
Solid-fuel smoke can harm health; this site documents history rather than recommending use.