Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases.
A good fence should be "horse high, bull strong, and pig tight." These qualities became associated with a Texas fence, but they applied to any fence. The phrase dates from the 19th…
"Wild as an acre of snakes" is said to be a Texas phrase (according to the Texas Monthly). Texas musician Stephen Bruton wrote a song called "Acre of Snakes." The phrase has…
"Brazos River Catfish Stew" is a Texas recipe that was popularized on the Food Network. Wikipedia: Brazos RiverThe Brazos River, originally called, the Rio Brazos de Dios which can be…
"Popo" is slang for a police officer. Some people think the word "popo" is an acronym for "pissing off a police officer." There is some evidence that this slang…
"If God had wanted Texans to ski, He would have given them mountains" is an anti-Texas bumper sticker that appeared in New Mexico and in Colorado in the 1970s. Actually, it was Texas…
Texas humorist Kinky Friedman ran for Texas Governor in 2006, referring often to "dinosaur wine" (oil). The term has been cited since at least 1985. Double-Tongued Word Wresterdinosaur…
Most of the corn of Texas can be traced to the corn acquired at the victorious Battle of San Jacinto (1836). The soldiers had wanted to call it Houston corn, but Sam Houston urged them to call it…
"Hot Hamburger" is a specialty of Murphy's Original Steak House West in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Murphy's famous "Hot Hamburger" puts french fries and gravy over the…
Texas was called the "Jumbo State" in the late 1800s because it's a big state, like the famed "Jumbo" elephant was large. NetState.comThe Jumbo State: In 1882, P.T. Barnum…
Texas was called the "Banner State" in the late 1800s because it voted largely Democratic at that time. "Banner state" means a state that "carries the banner" for any…
"Quicker than you can spit and holler 'Howdy!'" is very fast. It's not known if this phrase originated in Texas. Google BooksThe Old -Time Cowhandby Ramon F. Adams1948,…
"He couldn't hit a bull in the butt with a banjo" is said about someone who's drunk, or an athlete who isn't having a good day. It's not certain if this phrase…
The "Eyes of Texas" salad was created by Linda Martin in the 1970s and named after the "Eyes of Texas" song. The salad features black-eyed peas with avocado dressing.…
Texas Ranger nine-bean soup is a soup with mixed pinto, black, northern, red, and tiny lima beans. It's not known who originated the recipe. Recipe Gold MineTexas Ranger Nine Bean Soup Mix in…
Kinky Friedman (the Texas author and humorist) ran for Texas Governor in 2006 and advocated returning gambling to the state. "We invented Texas Hold 'em, but we can't play it…
Texas Scramble is a form of golf that allows players to form 4-person teams, with the best shot of a team used. There are other rules; it is not known who invented the game or why it's named…
"Texas Scramble" is a name for a scrambled egg dish, sometimes mixed with chili, cheese, onion, and ham or chorizo. A Texas Scramble Pie with chili con carne (below, from 1945) is…
Windsor stew was never a popular Texas stew, but the following citation is worth recording. Tales From The Manchaca HillsThe unvarnished memoirs of a Texas Gentlewoman, Mrs. Edna Turley Carpenteras…
"Campechanos" come from the state of Campeche, Mexico. There are Campechanos that are eggs and there are Campechanos that are tostados. More commonly, Campechanos is a grilled skirt steak…
The "chimichanga" is said to have originated in Tucson, Arizona (at the El Charro Cafe?), but it's considered a part of "Tex-Mex" cuisine. Wikipedia:…