Texas Cake
A "Texas Cake" recipe existed in the 19th century. Tested Recipe Cook Bookcompiled by Mrs. Henry Lumpkin WilsonAtlanta, GA: The Foote & Davies Company1895Pg. 56:Texas Cake. -- Five…
Alamo Burger
Many restaurants offer something called an "Alamo Burger." Often, it's simply a hamburger with chili and cheddar cheese. (This "Alamo Burger" can be found at The Sports…
“That’s what I like about Texas”
"That's what I like about Texas" has been the slogan of Dairy Queen since 2003. A song jingle was created by Luminous Sound. Songs such as "What I Like About Texas" by Gary…
“Never let the facts get in the way of a good story”
Texans are known for their bragging. Common sayings are "It ain't braggin'" (if you can do it, or if it's true) and "no brag, just fact." "Never let the…
“No man in the wrong can stand up against a fellow that’s in the right and keeps on a-comin’”
"No man in the wrong can stand up against a fellow that's in the right and keeps on a-comin'" was the motto of Texas Ranger Bill McDonald (1852-1918). It later became a motto…
Coosie (or Cocinero)
The camp cook was often called the "cocinero" (Spanish for "male cook"), or simply "coosie" for short. Tex-Mex DictionaryCOCINERO (ko-SEE-nair-o)Male cook. In early…
Ranahan (or Ranny)
"Ranahan" (or "ranny") is another name for a cowboy or top ranch hand. The origin of the name is uncertain. Google BooksCowboy Lingoby Ramon F. AdamsNew York: Houghton…
Waddy (Waddie)
A "waddy" or "waddie" is a cowhand or "cowpuncher." The origin of the term is unknown. Google BooksCowboy Lingoby Ramon F. AdamsNew York: Houghton Mifflin20001936…
Amber Alert
"Amber Alert" is a notification system to law enforcement and the media about a child abduction. "Amber Alert" is named for Amber Hagerman, the 9-year-old who was kidnapped…
Chuck Eater
A "chuck eater" is another cowboy term for a "greenhorn" or "pilgrim" or "tenderfoot." To the old hands, a "chuck eater" can't do the work and…
Pooch (puchera/puchero?)
"Pooch" was a cowboy stew of tomatoes, sugar, and bread. The name probably comes from the Spanish puchera or puchero, meaning a stew. However, more historical citations are needed;…
Brain Tablet (cigarette)
A "brain tablet" was a cowboy term for a cigarette. Maybe they looked like brain capsules at the time, or did cowboys think the cigarettes made them smarter? The term "brain…
Cowboy Cocktail (whiskey)
A "cowboy cocktail" is simply whiskey -- any whiskey on hand will do. The 2000 book Cowboy Cocktails publicized the term, and now it applies to whatever the establishment wants to call a…
“Winning Ugly” (Texas Rangers manager Doug Rader)
The 1983 Chicago White Sox won their division, but Texas Ranger manager Doug Rader didn't think they were all that good. "They're not playing that well. They're winning…
Horse Opera
The "horse opera" was an early name for the western (in radio and on the movie screen), dating from at least 1923. The term "horse opera" had long been in use before that,…
Mail-Order Cowboy
A "mail-order cowboy" was a person newly arrived to the west, dressed as if from a mail-order cowboy catalogue. Other names for the "mail-order cowboy" include
“Never kick a cow chip on a hot day”
"Never kick a cow chip on a hot day" appears on the internet on several Texas and cowboy joke websites. Some attribute the quote to Will Rogers, but there no evidence of this. It's…
“Only newcomers and fools predict the weather in Texas”
The old Texas weather saying (dating from at least the early 1900s) is: "Only newcomers and fools predict the weather in Texas." It's alleged that a newcomer once responded that…
Sun Belt (or Sunbelt)
Texas is part of the "sun belt" states of the South. The term has existed from at least the 1920s, but was popularized in the late 1960s when federal government programs specifically used…
Mississippi Mud Cake (Mississippi Mud Pie)
Mississippi Mud Cake (or Mississippi Mud Pie) may come from Mississippi -- or it may not. The name "Mississippi Mud" was popularized by a 1927 song of that title. In 1953,…