City of Stars (Kilgore nickname)
The city of Kilgore in East Texas used to have over 1,000 oil derricks. Today, about 70 oil derricks remain. A star is on the top of each derrick, lit every Christmas. In 2003, the Texas…
Jew Gardens (Kew Gardens)
Kew Gardens in Queens became home to a large community of Jewish refugees from World War II. "Jew Gardens" is a nickname for Kew Gardens that perhaps was in use in the 1950s. Kew Gardens…
Crew Gardens (Kew Gardens)
Kew Gardens in Queens is close to both LaGuardia and JFK airports. Many airline personnel (flight attendants and pilots) live in Kew Gardens; by at least 2000, the nickname "Crew Gardens"…
“Texas is so big that the people in Brownsville call the people in Dallas ‘Yankees.’”
"Texas is so big that the people in Brownsville call the Dallas people Yankees and citizens of El Paso sneer at the citizens of Texarkana as being big snobs from the effete East." This…
“If all the Texas steers were one steer, he would have his front feet in the Gulf of Mexico…”
Texas author Boyce House (1896-1961) is best known for his short, best-selling Texas humor books published during World War II, providing a chuckle to Texans and non-Texans everywhere. House also…
“Texas tall talk is not a lie; it is an expression of a larger truth.” (Paul Crume)
Paul Crume (1912-1975) was a columnist for the Dallas Morning News, where he wrote the front-page "Big D" column of news tidbits. In his book A Texan at Bay (1961), he wrote:…
“Texas occupies all of the North American continent except Canada, Mexico and the rest of the U.S.”
Texas author Boyce House (1896-1961) is best known for his short, best-selling Texas humor books published during World War II, providing a chuckle to Texans and non-Texans everywhere. House also…
“God made Texas on his day off, for pure entertainment…” (Mary Lasswell)
The author Mary Lasswell (1905-1994) grew up in Brownsville. In her book I'll Take Texas (1958), she wrote a sentiment that is widely quoted: "I am forced to conclude that God made Texas…
“You know the good part about all those executions in Texas? Fewer Texans.” (George Carlin)
George Carlin (1937-2008) was a stand-up comedian from New York City. Carlin worked in radio in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1959, when he started his comedy career. Perhaps Carlin didn't like Texas.…
“Texas is neither southern nor western. Texas is Texas.” (William Blakley)
William Blakley (1898-1976) was a Texas senator for two incomplete terms, the first in 1957 and the second in 1961. He is remembered today for the quotation: "Texas is neither southern nor…
High Tech Happy Hour (Low Tech Happy Hour)
The "happy hour" was a navy term describing the period for entertainment and refreshments, used during World War I (1918). "Happy hour" became a time period for when bars and…
Gas Tourism (Gas Tourist)
In 2008, the price of gasoline steadily increased in the United States. In Mexico, the price was lower because of subsidies to support low-wage-earning Mexicans who couldn't afford high gas…
“Slow walk” (“low and slow” barbecue)
The Original Texas Barbecue King in downtown Los Angeles, California advertises: Barbecue King started out as the brainchild of Rod Daniels, using many of the recipes handed down to him by his…
Parkie (resident of Park Cities of Highland Park/University Park)
A "Parkie" (also lower-case "parkie") is a resident of the Park Cities -- Highland Park and Overland Park. The name "Parkie" (sometimes representing affluent…
Southern Millionaires University (Southern Methodist University/SMU nickname)
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is located near the affluent communities of University Park and Highland Park. SMU's undergraduates are sometimes stereotyped as being spoiled rich kids.…
“The Shortcut to Mexico” & “The Mex! Without the Tex” (Guajillo’s in San Antonio)
Guajillo's is one of the few Mexican restaurants in San Antonio that is not Tex-Mex. Its slogan since 2000 has been "The Shortcut to Mexico" ("'el atajo al México"),…
“Life’s short. Eat more pie!” (Texas Pie Company in Kyle)
The Texas Pie Company in Kyle (south of Austin) has a slice of pie just above its door. On the sign is the Texas Pie Company slogan: "Life's short. Eat more pie!" The Texas Pie…
‘Stros (Houston Astros baseball team nickname)
The Houston Astros baseball team is often called the "'Stros" (or "'stros") for short. A popular cheer is simply "Go 'Stros!" When the Boston Red Sox…
Austinite (cocktail)
The Brown Bar in Austin makes a drink called the "Austinite" -- chilled vodka (Tito's Handmade Vodka, from Austin) and jalapeño olives. The drink isn't known anywhere else, but…
“Eating Out Is Fun!” (Texas Restaurant Association)
"Eating Out Is Fun!" is a slogan that the National Restaurant Association first used in 1947. The Texas Restaurant Association used "Eating Out Is Fun!" in 1956 and regularly…