“Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” (“Save a Horse, Mount a Cowboy”)
"Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" was a 2004 country music hit for Big & Rich, who also made a popular music video of the song. The phrase "Save a horse (ride a cowboy)" and…
“We don’t dial 911”
"We don't dial 911," accompanied by the representation of a gun, is sometimes seen among Texas gift items. Sometimes the full phrase is given as: "We don't dial 911, we…
NoMaS (North of Madison Square Park)
"NoMaS" appeared in 2006 to describe the area north of Madison Square Park in Manhattan. In Spanish, "no mas" means "no more." People want to live in a place of…
Hell Square
Hell Square is not to be confused with the long-established nickname Hell's Kitchen. The 2006-coined "Hell Square" is in the Lower East Side, from Houston Street on the north to…
Jack Heights (Jackson Heights)
"Jack Heights" (meaning "Jackson Heights," in Queens) appeared on a billboard ad in 2007. The billboard mentioned that the area is much cheaper than "Billy Burg"…
SoLa (South Lamar Boulevard, Austin)
"SoLa" is a name for South Lamar Boulevard in Austin. Austin's neighborhood name game began with SoCo for South Congress Avenue. To see where all this may lead, see the New York City…
“The only river wet on one side and dry on the other” (Rio Grande during Prohibition)
During the Prohibition era (1920-1933), the Rio Grande was said to be the only river in the world that's "wet" on one side and "dry" on the other. A pointed 1921 newspaper…
“Too thin to plow, too thick to drink” (Rio Grande)
"Too thin to plow, too thick to drink" has been said of many rivers, such as the Missouri River, the Colorado River (before it was dammed), the Platte River, the Powder River, as well as…
“The town which can’t support one lawyer can always support two lawyers” (LBJ)
"The town which can't support one lawyer can always support two lawyers" was said by President Lyndon B. Johnson at the swearing in of his attorney general and deputy attorney…
Texas Three-Kick Rule (lawyer joke)
Texas does not have a "three-kick rule." The internet-popular joke has it that some big-city California (or New York City) lawyer is duck hunting in East Texas, and...well, see below for…
Mexican Banana Split
A "Mexican banana split" is a traditional banana split with Mexican elements added, such as Kahlua sauce and cajeta. "Mexican Banana Split" is on the menu of the Adobo Grill…
Banana Split
The origin of the "banana split" (a dish of bananas, ice cream, and fruit syrup or fruit topping, usually with crushed nuts, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries) is much in debate.…
“Difference between dead armadillo and dead lawyer in road? The armadillo has skid marks in front!”
"What's the difference between between a dead lawyer in the road and a dead armadillo in the road? The armadillo has skid marks in front of it!" This "lawyer joke" has been…
“Come on Vacation, Leave on Probation”
"Come on vacation, leave on probation" probably started in Florida, but the saying has spread to other vacation towns. In 1986-1987, Fort Lauderdale police arrested many of the disruptive…
Metrotard
"Metrotard" is a type of person whose name is derived from transit's "Metrocard." It's a combination of "metro" (from "metropolitan") and…
“Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana” (Baylor University motto)
"Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana" ("for church, for state/Texas") is the motto on the seal of Baylor University in Waco. Baylor is a Baptist university, and the motto was put on a…
Friendly City (Amarillo nickname)
"Friendship" is the motto of Texas, so it's no surprise that Texas towns are friendly. Amarillo called itself "the friendly city" in the 1930s, when it was entertaining…
Tequila Salty Dog (Perro Salado)
A "Salty Dog" is a cocktail of gin (or vodka) and grapefruit juice, served in a glass with a salted rim. A "Tequila Salty Dog" (or "Perro Salado") substitutes tequila…
Salty Dog (cocktail)
A "Salty Dog" is a cocktail of gin (or vodka) and grapefruit juice, served in a glass with a salted rim. It is not known who invented the drink or where, but a 1947 citation of…
Ta-kill-ya (tequila)
"Ta-kill-ya" is one of several nicknames for "tequila." The nickname is said when the tequila is strong. Google BooksMister White Eyesa novel by Herbert GoldNew York: Arbor…