Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases.
The Lone Star Cafe in New York City was located on 61 Fifth Avenue (at 13th Street), and it existed between 1976 and 1989. The Lone Star featured performers such as Kinky Friedman and Willie…
"You can always tell a Texan (but you can't tell him very much)" was the title of a 1955 book by Boyce House. The classic saying had been recorded in a Texan version since at least…
"Neighbor, how long has it been since you've had a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili?" [Dramatic pause] "Well, that's too long!" Wolf brand chili was…
"You can't say Dallas doesn't love you, Mr. President" are the ironic words of Nellie Connally, wife of then-Texas Governor John B. Connally, to President John F. Kennedy in a…
Compañero (female, "compañera") is Spanish for "companion" or "friend" or "pardner." The term is used in western films and literature. (Dictionary of…
"Y'all" (for "you all") is used throughout the South. "Howdy, y'all" quickly identifies someone from Texas. "Y'all come back" is heard at many…
"Blinky" is milk (or, rarely, another food product) that is beginning to turn sour. "Blinky" is used in Texas and other states in the South and Midwest. Language in Texas…
Chile relleno ("chiles rellenos" is the plural, but it's sometimes incorrectly given as "chile rellenos;" there's also "chili relleno" and "chili…
Chile colorado (or "chili colorado") means simply the Mexican red chile pepper. The earliest citations in English appear to come from Texas or New Mexico. Cooks.comCHILI COLORADO 1…
"Who will join old Ben Milam in storming the Alamo?" (usually quoted as "Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?") was the appeal of Texas soldier Benjamin Rush Milam…
Condensed milk was patented in 1856 by Gail Borden, Jr. Borden took out the water and added sugar to condense the milk. Borden's Eagle Brand condensed milk quickly became popular for seamen…
"Fixin' to" ("fixing to") is a standard feature of Southern American English and dates from at least 1843. “‘Fixin’ to’ is the official verb of Texas” and…
Fixens (or "fixins" or "fixings") are trimmings, the sides of any dish, or food itself. "Chicken fixings" are prepared chicken. The terms became popular about 1837.…
John F. Kennedy was speaking at the Alamo in 1960. There were crowds at the plaza in front of the Alamo, so he asked if the Alamo had a back door. "There is no back door to the Alamo,"…
"Here I sit, cheeks a-flexin', giving birth to another Texan" is bathroom graffiti seen in New Mexico and Oklahoma. They really must be entertainment-deprived in those states. The…
"Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining" was the title of a 1996 book by television's "Judge Judy" (Judith Sheindlin). A older version is, "Don't…
It's been said that at the racetrack there are "more horses' asses than horses." The phrase applies to many other situations as well and is of unknown origin. Some websites have…
What's the definition of "confusion"? Father's Day in Harlem! This racist joke dates from the 1980s and is of unknown origin. Google BooksThe Mirth of Nationsby Christie…
"Cowboy cool" can mean beer that's been left in the back of a pickup in West Texas. That's not cold, but for a cowboy in West Texas, it's the best that can be done.…
"FiDi" is a name that was used in 2006 for the financial district. The term FiDi is borrowed from San Francisco's Financial District. Google BooksFrommer's San Francisco 2005by…