DCHP-1 Online
Ephraim 
n. Jocular a bear, especially a grizzly bear. Also called Old Eph(raim).
- 1854 For all that, whar the timmer's clost and brushy, and the ground o' that sort whar a hoss must stummel, it are allers the safest plan to let old Eph'm slide.
- 1876 "Old Ephraim" (the trapper's usual sobriquet for a grizzly bear), was next to be lassooed. . . .
- 1921 Ephraim was an old bear, used to every hunting wile, and his disposition hadn't improved with years. He was the undisputed master of the forest, and he couldn't think of any particular enemy that he would not encounter with a roar of joy.
- 1854 For all that, whar the timmer's clost and brushy, and the ground o' that sort whar a hoss must stummel, it are allers the safest plan to let old Eph'm slide.