The Lone Ranger is a long-running American old-time radio and early television show. The title character is a masked Texas Ranger in the American Old West, originally played by Paul Halliwell and later by Clayton Moore, who gallops about righting injustices with the aid of his clever, laconic American Indian assistant, Tonto (Jay Silverheels).

Recurrent quotes

• The Lone Ranger: Hi-yo, Silver, away!

• Narrator: [at the beginning of each episode] A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty "Hi-yo, Silver, away!" The Lone Ranger!

• Bad guy in Jail: Who was that masked man?
  Law enforcement officer: I don't know. I've heard him called the Lone Ranger.

Hi-ho Silver is correct. Websters earliest use of yo is 1968. I learned yo as an affirmative for roll call in the service, 1971. In modern urbanese hi-yo makes more sense as hi-ho sounds a prelude to conversation.

The Lone Ranger Fights On

[In a secret silver mine]

Lone Ranger: I want to ask a small favor.

Friend: What is it?

Lone Ranger: Do you think you could mold silver for me?

Friend: I reckon I could do so on this stove. What do you want me to mold?

Lone Ranger: Bullets.

Friend: Silver bullets?! Doesn't lead kill good enough?

Lone Ranger: I told you, I don't shoot to kill. I want a silver bullet to be a symbol of justice.

External links