One of Tombstone's most iconic lines utilizes a bit of 19th-century slang, which is barely contextualized in the film. Here's what the term means.

Summary

• Tombstone may not be completely historically accurate, but it does capture some of the period slang and events with authenticity.
• The iconic line "You're a daisy if you do" demonstrates Doc Holliday's confidence and lack of fear of death.
• Doc Holliday's disappointment in Johnny Ringo's failure to beat him highlights his complex character and his desire for a worthy opponent.

In the 1993 western classic, Tombstone, Val Kilmer's Doc Holliday commonly uses the term "daisy," a slang term from the film's period. The film, which stars not only Kilmer but also Kurt Russell and Sam Elliot, is based on events that occurred in Arizona in the 1880s. Tombstone depicts real historical Western figures, such as its central character, Doc Holliday. The film earned financial success and critical acclaim and is considered to be a classic of the Western genre.

Tombstone isn't a perfect recount of history, as very few films are, but it does offer some accuracy in its events and authenticity in its language. The term "daisy" was a common 19th-century slang term, which was used to describe something of the best quality. The word is used several times throughout the film, in order to provide some context to the period slang, thereby setting it up to be used in one of Doc Holliday's best one-liners: "You're a daisy if you do."

Doc Holliday's "Daisy" Line Was Meant To Sarcastically Provoke Frank McLaury In Tombstone

In a scene depicting the real-life gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Doc Holliday is faced against the last standing cowboy, Frank McLaury. Doc attempts to shoot him but is out of ammo from the fight, and McLaury aims his gun at him, thinking he has the upper hand, saying "I got you now, you son of a bitch." Doc casually responds with the iconic line, seemingly knowing that he won't be killed, despite the gun pointed at him. Doc suggests that if Frank can shoot him, then Frank is a "daisy," meaning that he's the better gunfighter and one of the finest around.

Doc knows this isn't true, and shoots Frank with a second pistol before he can even raise his gun. The line shows Doc's confidence, and how little he fears death, already knowing he's going to die due to tuberculosis. In real life, Doc Holliday said a variation of this iconic quote. After McLaury exclaimed "I've got you now!", the real Holliday replied, "Blaze away! You're a daisy if you have." The film morphed the quote into the more catchy quip, "You're a daisy if you do."

Why Doc Holliday Has Another "Daisy" Line After Killing Johnny Ringo

The line earlier in the film, and the consistent use of the term "daisy" sets up one of the climax's punchlines. In the face-off between Doc Holliday and Johnny Ringo, Doc bests Ringo, then delivers the line "You're no daisy." Doc Holliday loves to fight, and his diagnosis and imminent death fill him with a desire to find an opponent that could best him. Doc is actually disappointed by Johnny Ringo's failure to beat him, hence his tone when saying the line. This is one of the more complex character attributes in Tombstone.