Cannibal Sandwich (“hamburger in the raw” or “beef tartar”)
The "cannibal sandwich" is another name for "hamburger in the raw" or "beef tartar." This type of sandwich (said to be less healthful than cooked meat) was somewhat…
“Onward Thru the Fog” or “Onward Through the Fog” (Oat Willie’s of Austin)
Oat Willie's is a headshop at West 29th Street and Guadalupe that was operated by Norman "Doug" Brown in 1968. The name "Oat Willie" is from an Austin-based comic…
Jalapeño Pie
Jalapeño pie is simply a pie made with jalapeños (the official state pepper) and cheese and usually eggs. Recipes are cited since at least the 1960s. Cooks.comJALAPENO PIE 8 eggs2 lb. Monterey…
Border Buttermilk (tequila sour)
"Border buttermilk" is not what it sounds like -- it's basically a tequila sour, containing tequila, lime or lemonade, and crushed ice. The drink is sometimes made with rum and was…
“Bugled to Jesus” (to die)
"Bugled to Jesus" is another term for "to die" or "to go to heaven." The term was first used by writer Larry L. King (Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), but has been…
Texpatriate (Texpat)
Sometimes a Texan leaves Texas -- usually for a very short time. When a person leaves a country, he or she becomes an "expatriate" or "expat." When a Texan leaves Texas, he or…
Hi Sign (Hidy Sign; One-Finger Wave; Medina Wave; Texas Finger Wave)
The "hi sign" (also called the "hidy sign" or "one-finger wave" or "Medina wave" or "Texas finger wave") is when one driver lifts the index finger…
“Politics is like football. You must be smart enough to play, dumb enough to think it’s important”
A popular Texas phrase that's not originally from Texas is: "Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think…
“It’s a good book, but everyone gets killed in the end” (Pete Gent on Dallas Cowboys playbook)
Pete Gent was a Dallas Cowboys football player (1964-1968) under coach Tom Landry. Landry's playbook was known to be top secret and enormously complicated. Gent would write a 1973 novel about…
“If God isn’t a Longhorn, why is the sunset burnt orange?”
"If God isn't a Longhorn, why is the sunset burnt orange?" is a saying used by some fans of the University of Texas Longhorns. The official team color is burnt orange. Similar…
“We’re from here” (Frost Bank slogan)
Frost Bank began in San Antonio after the Civil War and is today the largest home-grown bank in the state of Texas. ""We're from here" is its Texas slogan. All Business…
Cup Cake (Cupcake)
The origin of the "cup cake" (or "cupcake") is unknown, but the food name appears in American cookbooks, beginning in 1828. It is possible that the cupcake originated in the…
Jalapeño Chicken (Chinese restaurant recipe)
"Jalapeño Chicken" is offered at several Chinese restaurants, especially in and around Austin, Texas. The state pepper of Texas is the jalapeño. The recipe (cited from the 1990s)…
“Why did the chicken cross the road?”/“To show the armadillo it could be done!”
The ancient joke "Q: Why did the chicken cross the road? A: To get to the other side!" gets a Texas twist when the armadillo is added. A famous Texas phrase is: "There's nothing…
“You no longer associate bridges over rivers with water” (Texas heat joke)
One of the items on popular "You Know You Are in Texas When..." internet lists is: "You no longer associate bridges over rivers with water." It's hot in Texas, but 2007…
“Remember Noah and the ark, when it rained 40 days and 40 nights?” (Texas weather joke)
Texas has plenty of jokes about the lack of rain in some parts of the state. The "Noah and the flood" joke is popular on the internet and has been told about other states (California, New…
“How do you pronounce the name of this place?” (Mexia)
How do you pronounce the name of Mexia, Texas? There's even an old joke about this! Mexia Area Chamber of Commercea great placeno matter how you say it Wikipedia: Mexia, TexasMexia (pronounced…
“Thermostrocka Mortimer” or “Thermostrocker Mortimer” (Cactus Pryor)
"Thermostrocka Mortimer" (or "Thermostrocker Mortimer") is the broadcasting signoff of longtime Austinite Richard "Cactus" Pryor. Pryor's words are believed to be…
Arklatex (Ark-La-Tex, ArkLaTex, also Arklatexoma)
"Arklatex" (also spelled "Ark-La-Tex" and ""ArkLaTex") is a regional name composed of the state names of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Sometimes Oklahoma is…
Strap Buckner and the Devil
Strap Buckner (Aylett C. Buckner, 1794-1832) was one of the original 300 settlers of the city of Austin. He was a big man and was famous for slapping citizens on the back very hard, knocking them…