Smiley Face
Smiling faces have existed for a very long time, but who invented the "smiley"? In 1962-63, WMCA's 'Good Guys" radio station had a logo of a "smiley" -- a…
Death Belt (death penalty states of the South)
The "death belt" is a term that some have used for the Southern states (especially Texas) that have the death penalty. The term "death belt" appears to have been coined in an…
Old Sparky (electric chair)
"Old Sparky" is the name of the famous electric chair of Texas, where 361 people died by electrocution between 1924 and 1964. Before 1924, hanging was practiced in Texas; in 1964,…
Chicken Chili
In 1977, the Texas legislature made "chili" the official state dish. Chile con carne was intended; one legislator even asked other legislators if they had ever heard of "chicken…
Paleta (Mexican popsicle)
Paletas have been called "Mexican popsicles" or "frozen fruit bars." The name "paleta" itself means "blade" or "stick." Many paleterias (places…
Spaghetti Bowl (Gulf Coast pipeline system)
The petrochemical industry is one of the largest industries in Texas. In 1956-58, the 1,000-mile system of pipelines along the East Texas Gulf Coast was called a "spaghetti bowl." The…
Spaghetti Western (Chili Western; Green Chile Western)
A "spaghetti western" is a western movie that is either filmed in Italy or financed by Italians. The term "spaghetti western" is first cited in print from 1967; many of the…
Texas Hollywood (movie studio/theme park in Spain)
"Texas Hollywood" is a movie studio/theme park that is neither in Texas nor in Hollywood, California. The Tabernas Desert in Spain is similar to North American deserts, and in the…
Peel Noodles or Knife-Cut Noodles or Knife-Sliced Noodles (Dao-xaio-mian)
"Peel noodles" were introduced by the Sheng Wang restaurant on Eldridge Street, and New York's food reviewers in 2006 and 2007 had nothing to compare it to. Also called…
Texas flag only one at same height as U.S. flag (urban legend)
The Texas flag often is placed on a flagpole at the same height as the U.S. flag on its flagpole, and it's sometimes said that Texas is the only state that can do this. The explanation given…
“Those whom the gods love they let live in Texas”
"Those whom the gods love they let live in Texas" is a proverb cited in a 1904 book (below). Other citations for this proverb have not been found; however, other citations for another…
“They who drink of the San Antonio River will return”
"They who drink of the San Antonio River will return" is a nice saying to impress upon visitors to San Antonio's River Walk (even though visitors do not literally "drink…
Venice of America (San Antonio nickname)
San Antonio is sometimes called the "Venice of America" (or "Venice of the Texas Plains" or "Venice of the Southwest") because of its beautiful River Walk on the San…
Chinese Pepper Steak
"Pepper steak" (sometimes called "Chinese pepper steak" to distinguish it from other steak-and-pepper dishes) is a Canton-style dish that has been popular in New York…
Southwestern Vegetable Soup (Southwest Vegetable Soup)
Southwestern vegetable soup (less frequently given as "Southwest vegetable soup") appears to have been created in the Campbell's Soup Company kitchens in 1966. The soup is a…
Bulgogi Burger (Bulgoki Burger)
"Bulgogi" (also spelled "bulgoki" and "pulgogi") is Korean barbecue; the term literally means "fire meat" or "flesh on fire." The meat is barbecued…
Spaghetti and Meatballs (Meatballs and Spaghetti)
"Spaghetti and meatballs" (or "meatballs and spaghetti," with the two-word "meat balls" as the earlier form) is a popular Italian dish -- or is it Italian? It's…
Quinceañera (Quince Años)
Many Spanish-speaking people mark a girl's fifteenth birthday with a celebration. The name "Quince Años" (fifteen years) was applied to this celebration in the 1950s and 1960s; by…
Top of Texas (Pampa slogan)
The city of Pampa is the second-largest in the Texas Panhandle, located at the top of Texas. In 1937, Pampa hosted a "Top of Texas Fiesta" (or "Top o' Texas Fiesta"). Pampa…
Cowboy Philosopher
Will Rogers (1879-1935) was often called a "cowboy philosopher." In 1919, this "cowboy philosopher" term was included in the title to one of his books (Rogers-isms, the cowboy…