“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…
Chupacabra or Chupacabras (goat-sucker)
The "chupacabra" (goat-sucker) was first spotted in Puerto Rico, in the 1970s. Sightings have also been made in Florida and Mexico; from the 1990s, chupacabra sightings have occurred in…
“You ain’t from Texas, are ya?” (Dr. Phil McGraw)
"You aint from Texas, are ya?" is a catchphrase of television's "Dr. Phil" (Phillip Calvin McGraw). McGraw was born in Oklahoma, but went to school at Midwestern State…
Mixed Bathing (Mixed Swimming)
"Mixed bathing" was a term used in England for both sexes swimming together. In the 1890s, various groups wanted to outlaw "mixed bathing." In the 1920s, there was a strong…
Baptist tea (beer, disguised without foam)
"Baptist tea" is beer that's disguised, served without foam and often in an ice tea glass, often with lemon conspicuously at the top of the glass. This Texas term possibly dates back…
Santa Anna’s Revenge (traveler’s diarrhea or “Montezuma’s revenge”)
"Santa Anna's revenge" is a term (like "Montezuma's revenge") that was used in the 1960s for traveler's diarrhea -- especially after eating Mexican food.…
Texas House (Breezeway; Dog-Run House; Dogtrot House; Possum Trot House; Saddlebag House)
A "Texas house" (also called a "breezeway" or "dog-run house" or "dogtrot house" or "possum trot house" or "saddlebag house") is when two…
Boy’s Town or Boys Town (Zona de Tolerancia; Zona Roja; Zona Rosa)
"Boy's Town" or "Boys Town" is a place in Mexico near the Texas border where "boys" go to find "girls." These places of prostitution are also called…
Jimplecute (Jimpsecute)
"Jimplecute" is almost exclusively used as the title of the Jefferson Jimplecute, the fifth-oldest newspaper in Texas. The words "jimplecute" and "jimsecute" were used…
“If it’s inevitable, relax and enjoy it” (said of Texas weather)
Probably, the construction of this phrase began: "If the heat (of summer) is inevitable, relax and enjoy it." The phrase was also said of winter. A variant became: "If defeat's…
“The Republic of Texas is no more” (Anson Jones on 1846 annexation)
"The final act in this great drama is now performed. The Republic of Texas is no more." Texas President Anson Jones delivered these memorable words on February 19, 1846, during the…
“Eighter from Decatur, county seat of Wise” (“Ada from Decatur”)
"Eighter from Decatur, county seat of Wise" is the slang of craps shooters who want to roll an eight. It was sometimes given as "Ada from Decatur." "Eighter" is first…
Orange Heads or Orangeheads (UT Longhorns fans)
The University of Texas Longhorns athletic teams have the official team colors of burnt orange. Longhorns supporters have been called "orange heads" (or "orangeheads"), mostly…
Chicken Fried Kingdom (Texas nickname)
ESPN radio's Randy Galloway has called Texas the "Chicken Fried Kingdom." The term is from the popular Texas dish, chicken fried steak, with a hint of Disney's "Magic…