Reply #36: I think sometimes DU'ers see a conspiracy in everything [View All]

[RamboLiberal]

The creator of the radio show probably picked it cause it sounded Indian or something. And that would've been way back in the 30's.

By the time of the TV series Tonto was an established character and they would've been loathe to change the name.

Jay Silverheels was Native American - apparently he had no problem with the name.

BTW, came across this while googling this subject.

For instance, a Far Side comic strip has the long - since retired Lone Ranger discovering ( In an Indian dictionary ) that ” kemosabe ” is an Apache expression for a “ horse’s rear end..” In the early 1970s, Jay Silverheels appeared as a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, playing Tonto, with Johnny Carson playing a career counselor.. Tonto was seeking a new job after having spent ” thirty lousy years ” as the Ranger’s faithful Indian companion.. ( ” Him let me peek under mask once.. No big deal!” ) As to why he was no longer working with the Masked Man, Tonto said, “ Him find out what kemosabe means!”

http://tomorrows-entertainment.com/hi-yo-silver-the-lone-ranger-is-heading-to-the-silver-screen/

I also remember Bill Cosby had a great skit on the Lone Ranger sending Tonto to town where he always got beat up. Till Tonto finally had enough.