“Turn Around, Don’t Drown” (flash flood warning)
"Turn Around, Don't Drown" is the National Weather Service's warning (trademarked in 2003) to prevent fatalities from flash floods. Central Texas is known as "Flash Flood…
Texican
A "Texican" was (pre-1836) a person from Texas (then part of Mexico) of non-Mexican ancestry. After Texas became independent and then a state (post-1836), the term "Texican"…
Condo Coast
The "Condo Coast" is the lower west side of Manhattan (the Tribeca waterfront and more), where many condominium conversions were made beginning in the 1990s. New York magazine used the…
Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots became the subject of "the official State Boot of Texas" legislation in 2007. There is no precise date of origin for the cowboy boot; it was adapted from military boots. The…
Poor Boy Sandwich (Po’ Boy Sandwich)
The "poor boy" ("po' boy") sandwich began in New Orleans, about 1929, when it was popularized (or coined) by Benny and Clovis Martin. It's another regional sandwich…
Poor Boy (four lane undivided highway)
A "poor boy highway" is a four-lane undivided highway (usually converted from a two-lane highway, with paved shoulders). It's a "poor boy's" way to make a four-lane…
Westside Manhattan (cocktail)
The Westside Manhattan is a new name for the classic Manhattan cocktail. Included are whiskey and vermouth -- Irish whiskey, as this drink is popular on St. Patrick's Day. Angostura bitters…
Irish Coffee (Gaelic Coffee)
New York City has many Irish immigrants, but San Francisco claims the introduction of Irish coffee into America. San Francisco's Buena Vista Cafe's website states that writer Stanton…
“A cowboy is a man with guts and a horse”
"A cowboy is a man with guts and a horse" is usually credited to Will James (1892-1942), a cowboy artist and author. (Will James is not to be confused with the philosopher William James.)…
“There never was a horse that couldn’t be rode or a man that couldn’t be throwed” (Will James)
"There never was a horse that couldn't be rode or a man that couldn't be throwed" is a bit of cowboy wisdom that's been attributed to Will James (1892-1942), a cowboy…
Panuchos
Panuchos (corn tortillas with beans and meat) are more Mexican (Yucatan) than Tex-Mex, but they're slowing arriving the in the United States. President George Bush ate panuchos in a March 2007…
“Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction”
"Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction" is often said to be an old cowboy saying, but its author is unknown. The cowboy proverb is cited…
“It’s the last thing you take off and the first thing that is noticed” (cowboy hat)
"It's the last thing you take off and the first thing that is noticed" is supposed to be an old cowboy proverb about the cowboy hat, but only recent citations seem to exist. Google…
Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a Louisiana dish that is sometimes brought into Texas by the citizens of that state. Jambalaya features meat, vegetables, and lots of rice. The origin (and the spelling) of the word…
Do Texas Different (El Paso slogan)
"Do Texas Different" is a slogan (from 2004) for the city of El Paso. El Paso is quite separated from cities such as Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, and Texas tourists were…
Malfunction Junction (College Station)
"Malfunction Function" ia a nickname coined in a 1967 contest to rename College Station, home of Texas A&M. The nickname is sparsely used today and is largely historical, usually said…
Spring Forward, Fall Back
"Spring forward, fall back" is a ritual of Daylight Saving Time. The mnemonic "Spring forward, Fall back" was cited in The Spectator on May 2, 1931, and “Spring forward! Fall…
Yeehaw (Yee-ha; Yee-haw)
"Yeehaw" (or "yeeh-ha" pr "yee-haw") is similar to the yell "yahoo!" It indicates excitement, exuberance, and delight. "Yee-haw!" is imitative of…
“Keep Houston Dirty”
"Keep Houston Dirty" is not an unofficial city nickname, such as "Keep Austin Weird." It was the title of a September 1, 2006 show that featured Houston's graffiti artists.…
Nuclear Taco
The Austin-based SXSW festival has featured "nuclear tacos." These tacos are hot! According to the video "How to Prepare Nuclear Tacos," the secret scorching ingredient is the…