When me and a mate started window cleaning 5 or 6 years ago we were both broke, had mortgages, had families and both of us were for all intents and purposes, unemployable as we were both the wrong side of 40 and had both won industrial tribunals from previous employers.
We started with a cheap ladder, a few towels, a builders bucket, 2 sponges and a squeegie.
We were also both on the dole to start with because we had no option but to remain so and take the risk.
For a few weeks, neither of us had a clue what we were doing. We carried our ladder and 'stuff' around by hand. God knows what some of our first customers must have thought.
So were we cowboys? I don't know?
I'm not sure what the term means anyway. I think it means nothing and I also I think it is a generic terms that means that the person using it doesn't have to use proper language and describe whatever it is he is making a comment about. I also think it is born from predudice, fear and guesswork.