Bodewash and buffalo chips can refer to the same basic fuel: dried dung collected for burning.
Difference in familiarity
Buffalo chips became the better-known expression; bodewash remained rarer and regionally marked.
Modern writing
Define bodewash on first use and pair it with buffalo chips when clarity matters.
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.