“You can take a boy out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of a boy”
In the early 1900s, the phrase was: "You can take a boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy." By 1950, the phrase was adapted to Texas: "You can…
“Texas is the garden spot of the world” (Davy Crockett)
"I must say as to what I have seen of Texas it is the garden spot of the world" wrote Davy Crockett to his son and daughter on January 9, 1836 -- just before Crockett's death at the…
“Cultivated mind is the guardian genius of Democracy” (Mirabeau B. Lamar; UT motto)
"Cultivated mind is the guardian genius of Democracy" was in Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar's first address to the Texas Congress. The words are the motto of the University of…
Oklahoma Oysters
An "Oklahoma oyster" is a regional term for a "mountain oyster" or "prairie oyster." The "oysters" are the testicles of an animal. Google BooksYou All Spoken…
Three R’s (Riding, Roping, Rodeo; also with ‘Rangling, ‘Rastling, Roundups, Ranching)
The traditional "three r's" are "reading, 'riting, and 'rithmatic." In Texas, the "three r's" might be "riding, roping, and rodeo." There…
Heart Of Texas (H.O.T.)
Many Texas organizational names include "Heart of Texas," with "H.O.T." added. There is no one organization that started all this, except perhaps the song "Deep in the…
“Never say ‘die,’ say ‘damn’” (“Pa” Ferguson?)
"Never say 'die,' say 'damn'" was supposedly the motto of James Edward "Pa" Ferguson (1871-1944), the only Texas governor ever to be impeached. However, the…
“Sorry, We’re Open” & 24/8 (Magnolia Cafe, Austin)
The Magnolia Cafe in Austin (two locations) is open 24 hours a day. Instead of a "Sorry, We're Closed" sign, it has a "Sorry, We're Open" sign. The restaurant proudly…
Fiddler General (“Couldn’t get elected Fiddler General”)
"Fiddler General" is a fictitious position in government. When David G. Burnet ran for president of Texas against Sam Houston in 1841, it was allegedly said that Burnet…
“Washington is the only insane asylum in the world run by its own inmates” (“Pappy” O’Daniel)
"Washington is the only insane asylum in the world run by its own inmates" was said by Texas Senator Wilbert Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel in 1942. Needless to say, O'Daniel…
Red-Eye Gravy (Redeye Gravy; Red Gravy; Red Ham Gravy)
"Red-eye gravy" was first called "red gravy" and then "red ham gravy." Red gravy (from cured ham) was served through the South in the 19th century, in states such as…
MOPAC (Missouri-Pacific; Loop 1; More Packed; More Parked; SLOPAC; SLOWPAC)
MOPAC (also "MoPac" or "Loop 1") is a highway in west Austin. The highway was built along the Missouri Pacific Railroad, hence the "MOPAC" name. For those who've…
Jevver (did you ever)
"Jevver" ("did you ever?") is said to be a part of Texas speech. Indiana's Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley used "jevver" as early as the 1890s. Urban…
“Texas, One and Indivisible”
"Texas, One and Indivisible" has appeared on the reverse of the state seal of Texas since 1961. The phrase also appears in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas state flag (signed into…
Texas Flag “Pledge of Allegiance”
The "Pledge of Allegiance" to the Texas state flag was made into law in 1933. In 2007, the words "one state under God" were added. Wikipedia: Flag of TexasPledge of allegiance…
Bonghorns & “Book ‘em, Horns!” (Longhorns & “Hook ‘em, Horns!”)
In 2006 and 2007, several members of the University of Texas "Longhorns" football team were arrested (for illegal drugs and other offenses). The team nickname of "Longhorns" and…
Four Get (get up, get on, get off, get out)
"Four get" (like the word "forget") is a Texas A&M Aggie term that was used at the "chicken ranch" ("best little whorehouse in Texas") at La Grange that…
“Texas born, Texas bred, when I die, I’ll be a Texan dead!”
"Texas born, Texas bred, when I die, I'll be a Texan dead!" has appeared on T-shirts since at least the 1990s. A similar saying has applied to the University of North Carolina's…
Turd Blossom
"Turd Blossom" was a nickname for George W. Bush's adviser, Karl Rove. The term was popularized in 2001. A "turd blossom" is supposedly a Texas term for a flower that grows…
“Welcome to Texas. Beware of the Bull”
"Welcome to Texas. Beware of the Bull" has been quoted (since the 1950s) as being a sign near the Oklahoma border. 8 April 1958, Jefferson (Iowa) Bee, pg. 16, col. 2:A recent visitor in…