An etymological dictionary

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

Town Without a Frown (Happy slogan)

Yes, there is a town called Happy, Texas. It's slogan is "The Town Without a Frown." Of course! Handbook of Texas OnlineHAPPY, TEXAS. Happy, on U.S. Highway 87 in northern Swisher…

Where Yee-Hah Meets Olé (Eagle Pass slogan)

"Where Yee-Hah Meets Olé" has been the slogan of Eagle Pass (on the border with Piedras Negras, Mexico) since 1995. A 2002 slogan is "Eagle Pass ... Piedras Negras – Good…

Sweetest Town in Texas (Honey Grove nickname)

Honey Grove was named after its apiary, and the city's web page shows two bees. The nickname of Honey Grove is "Sweetest Town in Texas," although that could, perhaps, also apply to…

Where Dallas Goes for Fun (Addison slogan)

"Where Dallas goes for fun" has been the slogan of Addison since at least 1999, appearing on key chains and T-shirts and mugs. Addison has many restaurants and hotels that attract…

Clearly Texas (Uvalde slogan)

"Clearly Texas" is the slogan of Uvalde, Texas. The slogan appears on T-shirts and mugs. What it means is not exactly clear. Handbook of Texas OnlineUVALDE, TEXAS. Uvalde is on U.S.…

A Genuine Texas Town (Rotan slogan)

"A Genuine Texas Town" is the nickname of the small town of Rotan in Fisher County. The slogan appears on T-shirts and mugs. (The other Texas towns are not genuine?) Handbook of Texas…

Baseball Capital of Texas (Brenham nickname)

"Baseball Capital of Texas" is the unofficial nickname of Brenham in Washington County. High school baseball in Brenham has been ranked No. 1 in Texas. Washington County Chamber of…

Marriage Without Formalities (Common Law Marriage)

Texas recognizes common law marriage, called "marriage without formalities." If two people live together and hold themselves out to be married, it is possible that they will be recognized…

Texas Dim Bulb Award

The blog WhosPlayin.com, subtitled "Life and Liberty in the Lone Star State," announced in 2006 its monthly "Texas Dim Bulb Award." The prize (the graphic shows a bulb in the…

Bum Steer Awards (Texas Monthly)

Texas Monthly has an annual issue (since 1974) of "Bum Steer Awards." It's an award Texans don't want to win. A Texas Monthly subscription may be required to views the winners…

Salsa Ranchera (Ranch Sauce)

Salsa ranchera (ranch sauce) contains tomatoes, chiles, onions, salt and usually a few other ingredients. The salsa goes by other names as well, even simply "salsa." Gourmet SleuthSalsa…

Salsa Verde

Salsa verde is simply "green sauce." The Mexican salsa verde that's popular in Tex-Mex restaurants usually contains hot green chiles, tomatillos, onion, garlic, salt and vinegar.…

Texas Strategy (Paul Krugman NY Times column)

In a January 15, 2007 column in the New York Times (reprinted in the Austin American-Statesman and other newspapers), Paul Krugman wrote about what he called "The Texas Strategy."…

“Keep Waco Wacko”

"Keep Waco Wacko" is an unofficial slogan (trademarked in 2004) of the city of Waco. "Waco We Do" is an official slogan. The first of these slogans was "Keep Austin…

“Keep San Antonio Lame”

"Keep San Antonio Lame" is a 2004 imitation of the popular slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The seemingly endless imitation Texas city slogans include "Keep Dallas…

“Keep College Station Normal”

"Keep College Station Normal" is a gentle borrowing (trademarked in 2004) from the popular slogan "Keep Austin Weird." Sarcazm Creations has marketed items with the slogan. The…

Mexican Rice

Mexican rice is served with many Tex-Mex dishes, although rice is not native to Mexico. Some recipes include tomato paste with the rice, while other include chiles and onions. The term…