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This seemingly nonsensical string of words is a perfect illustration of the complexity and ambiguity possible within the English language. Its grammatical correctness hinges on the word "buffalo" having three distinct meanings that can be used in succession. The first is the city of Buffalo, New York, used as a proper adjective. The second is the plural noun for the animal, which is also "buffalo." The third, and least common, is the verb "to buffalo," an American slang term meaning to intimidate, bully, or confuse. The sentence's structure is made possible by a grammatical feature known as a reduced relative clause, where connecting words like "that" or "whom" are omitted for conciseness.
The idea of constructing a sentence solely from the word "buffalo" emerged independently several times throughout the 20th century. One of the earliest known written examples appeared in Dmitri Borgmann's 1965 manuscript for his book "Language on Vacation." The concept was later popularized in various forms by linguists and academics, including William J. Rapaport, a professor at the University at Buffalo, who used it in his courses. The verb "to buffalo" itself dates back to the early 1900s, likely stemming from the intimidating and bewildering nature of the large animal.
This linguistic curiosity demonstrates how a sentence can be technically correct yet completely baffling without a deeper understanding of its components. By capitalizing "Buffalo" as a place, using "buffalo" as the plural for the animal, and employing "buffalo" as a verb, the sentence weaves a complex but valid statement about social dynamics within a herd. It stands as a classic example in linguistics courses to illustrate the fascinating intricacies of syntax and semantics.