Empanada
The empanada (turnover) is more familiar in Cuban and South American cuisines that in Mexican cookery. However, the empanada does appear in some Tex-Mex restaurants -- not filled with meat, but…
Whenever (W subway line)
The W train has been called the "Whenever" train because service has not been frequent. The W train has received the poorest grades of any subway line and also has another unfortunate…
“Some Village in Texas Is Missing Its Idiot”
"Somewhere in Texas a Village Is Missing Its Idiot" appeared on T-shirts and bumper stickers in 2000, as George W. Bush ran for president. The term "village idiot" has been in…
Texas Tough (Texas criminal justice)
"Texas tough" can apply to any number of things, from boxers to automobiles to HEB pansies. In 2000, the Justice Policy Institute (a George Soros-backed think-tank) issued a report on…
Austintatious (Austin-tatious)
Austin is the capital of Texas; perhaps some people feel that it's "ostentatious." The term "Austintatious" (or "Austin-tatious" or sometimes spelled…
Bum Steer
A "steer" is a piece of advice (cited from at least 1899, probably from Texas). Not long after that, a "bum steer" came to mean a bad piece of advice. "Bum rap" is a…
“This is unparalyzed in the state’s history” (Gib Lewis)
Former Texas House Speaker Gib Lewis is a Texas version of Yogi Berra and Mrs. Malaprop. Perhaps not all of the sayings attributed to him are his, but they appear on many internet web sites.…
Calf Slobber (Calf Slobbers)
Calf slobber (also "calf slobbers") is that white stuff found in a calf's mouth. It became the nickname for meringue that tops pies or egg custards. A foamy head of beer is also…
“Meanwhile, back at the ranch”
"Meanwhile, back at the ranch..." was written on a card in an old silent western film. It was an indication to the movie audience that the film's scene would be re-directed to back…
“My cow died last night, so I don’t need your bull”
"My cow died last night, so I don't need your bull" is a phrase of uncertain origin. It's so familiar in some parts that "My cow died last night" is all that needs to…
“Cattle come first, then men, then horses, then women”
"Cattle come first, then men, then horses, then women" is said to have been the priority list of the old West. The phrase appears as "an old Texas saying" in Edna Ferber's…
Dellionaire (Dell computer millionaire)
Dell Inc. is one of the largest companies in America. In the late 1990s, it seemed that whoever worked for Dell or owned large amounts of Dell stock was a millionaire, or "Dell…
Corn Dog Shrimp (Corndog Shrimp)
"Corndog Shrimp" (or "Corn Dog Shrimp") is a dish that was invented at the Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill in Austin, Texas in 2002. It's shrimp coated with the batter…
Texas Cannonballs (black stuffed olives)
"Texas Cannonballs" (black stuffed olives) is a dish that appears to have been invented and named (quite creatively) by Russell H. Ritchey at the website "Flavors of Texas." A…
Texas Trio (steak, chicken, shrimp)
The Lone Star Steakhouse (many franchised locations) offers a "Texas trio" of sirloin steak, chicken breast, and fried shrimp. The "Texas trio" combination, if offered in a…
Golden Triangle (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio)
"Golden Triangle" usually means the Texas cities of Beaumont, Orange and Port Arthur. Some now consider "Golden Triangle" to mean the largest Texas cities of Dallas, Houston,…
“Maid in the living room, cook in the kitchen, whore in the bedroom” (Jerry Hall)
Jerry Hall was married to Mick Jagger (of the Rolling Stones) and is, perhaps, the most famous Texas model. She came a long way from the woman who once worked at a Dairy Queen in Mesquite, Texas.…
“Crazy as a peach orchard boar” (“Madder than a peach orchard boar”)
"Crazy as a peach orchard boar" (also "madder than a peach orchard boar") is a Southern expression used in Texas and elsewhere. Its exact origin and meaning remains unknown, but…
“I dearly love the state of Texas, but I consider that a harmless perversion on my part…”
Molly Ivins (1944-2007) often poked fun at Texas ways, but she dearly loved the state. "I dearly love the state of Texas, but I consider that a harmless perversion on my part, and discuss it…
“Good thing we’ve still got politics in Texas - finest form of free entertainment ever invented”
Molly Ivins (1944-2007) was more than a political commentator or a humorist. She was a Texas original, and it showed in everything she wrote. She loved to write about the often ridiculous goings on…