An etymological dictionary

Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases.

Wetback (Wet Back)

"Wetback" (or "wet back") is a derisive slang term for a Mexican (who crosses the Rio Grande into Texas and has a "wet back"). The term has been used from at least…

Texas Hash

"Texas hash" contains ingredients such as hamburger, onions, peppers, and chili 10 September 1893, Washington Post, "Famous as Gastronomes: How Some Members of Congress Will Be…

Migas (crumbs)

"Migas" is Spanish for "crumbs." It is usually short for "huevos con migas" -- scrambled eggs with tortilla crumbs. Migas is a popular Tex-Mex breakfast dish.…

Breakfast Burrito; Breakfast Taco

The breakfast burrito and the breakfast taco both first became popular breakfast fare in America beginning in the 1970. The breakfast burrito is recorded in New Mexico from the mid-1970s, and the…

Slang Jang (Slangjang)

"Slang Jang" (or "slangjang") is a dish from Honey Grove in Northeast Texas. The ingredients of this hot pepper relish vary, but tend to include oysters, onions, pickles,…

Dobe (also Dobie, Doby) Biscuit

"Dobe" biscuits (also "dobie" or "doby") are sourdough biscuits. The name was used by the 1870s and is largely of historical interest today. "Dobe" is said…

Texas Ranch Beans

Texas ranch beans (or just "ranch beans") are barbecue baked beans with a western name. TexasCooking.netreliefBarbecued Baked BeansBarbecued Beans are very similar to the so-called Ranch…

Texas Manhattan (cocktail)

A "Manhattan" cocktail is whiskey and vermouth. This "Texas Manhattan" is a little different. The Jamisons are given credit for this drink. Texas Home Cookingby Cheryl Alters…

Texas Potatoes

"Texas Potatoes" is a recipe that adds chicken soup and cheddar cheese to hash browns. The origins of the recipe are unknown. Recipes have been cited from the 1990s. Cooks.comTEXAS…

West Texas Sunset (cocktail)

The "West Texas Sunset" cocktail is not nearly as popular as the similar "Tequila Sunrise." Pomegranate juice is used rather than grenadine. Best of Minneapolis 2002 Bar…

Prairie Fire (Tabasco and tequila cocktail)

"Prairie Fire" is a hot cocktail of tequila and Tabasco sauce. It is not known where the drink originated. WikipediaCanadian Prairie Fire½ to 1 part Tabasco sauce 1 part Yukon Jack…

Prairie Fire (hot hors d’oeuvre)

"Prairie Fire" is the name of the hot hors d'oeuvre that was served by Helen Corbitt, of Neiman-Marcus fame, in the 1950s. Helen Corbitt's Cookbookby Helen CorbittBoston:…

Hopkins County Stew

Hopkins County, Texas created its famous Hopkins County stew sometime about 1900. There are many recipes for it and an annual competition is held. Sulphur Springs News-TelegramHOPKINS COUNTY…

Texas Popcorn (fried okra; stuffed jalapeños)

"Texas popcorn" can be either fried okra or crabmeat stuffed jalapeños. Or, it can simply mean popcorn that's made in Texas. Ashtray RecipesCrabmeat stuffed jalapeños (texas…

Pedernales River Chili (LBJ recipe)

Lyndon Baines Johnson of Texas was the 36th President of the United States, but this recipe was published when he was vice president in 1961. Pronounced "Pur-DIN-alice," the Pedernales…

Katy Kornettes

"Katy Kornettes" were cornbread nuggets that were served on the "Katy" (Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad) in the early 1900s. Cooks.comKATY KORNETTES 1 lb. white cornmeal1 tbsp.…

SoCo (South Congress Avenue, Austin)

SoCo is the nickname for the South Congress Avenue area of Austin. The name is reminiscent of SoHo in New York City. "SoCo" meaning Southern Comfort was used by the Austin Chronicle in…