“Drive Friendly—The Texas Way”
The "Welcome to Texas" road signs at every entry point to the state show the Texas state flag and, below that, this slogan: "Drive Friendly -- The Texas Way." The state motto is…
Mother of Texas (Jane Long)
Jane Herbert Wilkinson Long (1798-1880) was called the "mother of Texas" by at least 1894. Long came to Texas in 1819 and was one of the first Anglo women (although not the very first) in…
Father of Texas (Stephen F. Austin); Father of Texas Day (Nov. 3)
The "father of Texas" is Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836) and "Father of Texas Day" is his November 3rd birthday. Austin helped bring people to the city of Waterloo -- later…
Six Pack (UT-Austin campus buildings)
The University of Texas at Austin has six red-roofed campus buildings on the South Mall that are commonly referred to as the "six pack." Batts, Mezes, and Benedict are on the east side;…
Chicken Fried Salmon
Texas is known for its chicken fried steak, but does anyone really make chicken fried salmon? There appears to be at least one recipe on the internet for "Cayenne Chicken-Fried Salmon." A…
“This is God’s Country. Don’t Drive Thru It Like Hell” (Hondo road sign)
The city of Hondo is a small place that people often drive past. In 1930, a road sign was put up: "THIS IS GOD'S COUNTRY. DON'T DRIVE THRU IT LIKE HELL." The sign was…
Manitos (“little brothers” or Spanish-speaking New Mexicans)
"Manito" is Spanish, short for "hermanito" ("little brother"). The Spanish-speaking residents of New Mexico were called "manitos" by at least the 1950s.…
Texas Strangers (Texas Rangers baseball team unofficial nickname)
The Washington Senators baseball team moved to Arlington, Texas in 1972 and became the Texas Rangers (named after the famous law enforcement agency). By April 1972, the Texas baseball team with the…
Blue Tarp Mexican (slang for a Guatemalan)
Texas has many people of Mexican descent, but there are also increasing numbers of Guatemalans in Texas. According to the post below, Guatemalans in far west Texas are called "blue tarp…
La Llorona (The Weeping Woman)
La Llorona ("the weeping woman") is a Mexican (and perhaps Spanish) folk tale that is sometimes given a South Texas location. There are many variations to the story: a poor, beautiful…
Flag City (Edna nickname)
The city of Edna is called "Flag City" because of its show of support for the Vietnam War in 1967-68. Mayor A. D. Tinker got fed up after he saw the anti-war demonstrations at the…
Heart of the Valley (Donna motto/slogan)
The city of Donna is located in the Rio Grande Valley. As early as the 1930s, Doona has called itself the "Heart of the Valley." A longer motto/slogan is: "The City with a Heart in…
Dim Sum
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Dim sumDim sum is the name for a Chinese cuisine which involves a wide range of light dishes served alongside Chinese tea. Dishes may include meat, seafood, and…
Close to everything, far from it all (League City slogan)
League City's slogan for many years has been "City of Live Oaks and Friendly Folks." A new slogan -- "Close to everything, far from it all" -- hints that League City is…
“If it can’t be found in Dallas, it can’t be found anywhere in the world”
Dallas has great shopping, with perhaps more shopping centers per capita than any other major city in the United States. The Dallas shopping motto is: "If it can't be found in Dallas, it…
Silver Boot Series (Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers)
The "Silver Boot Series" (formally called the "Lone Star Series") is when baseball's Houston Astros play the Texas Rangers. The winner of the series receives the Silver…
You’ll Love Lufkin (Lufkin motto/slogan)
"You'll love Lufkin" is the motto/slogan of the city of Lufkin in east Texas. The Lufkin area has many trees and lakes and is being actively promoted as a retirement community.…
Paradise in the Pines (Crockett slogan)
The city of Crockett in East Texas is located near the Davy Crockett National Forest. Davy Crockett was known as the "king of the wild frontier," and the city of Crockett has advertised…
Queen of the Missions (Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo)
San Antonio's Missions National Historical Park includes five historic Spanish missions. The Alamo (1718) was the first mission to be built. Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo (1720) --…
Tighthouse (Tight House)
"Tighthouse" (or "tight house") is a Texas prison term that can mean something less than an official lockdown (or "lock down"). In rehab programs for female inmates,…