Velvet Rut (Austin music scene)
The New Yorker publisher Harold Ross once said that his publication was in a "velvet rut" -- making good money, but not doing anything creatively. "Velvet rut" came to be…
Houston Street (Texas “Hew-ston/Heuston” or New York City “House-ton/Howston”)
Houston is the name of the most populated city in Texas, named after Sam Houston in 1836. it is pronounced "Hew-ston" or "Heuston." Houston Street in New York City is named (by…
Houston (Texas “Hew-ston/Heuston” or New York City “House-ton/Howston”)
Houston is the name of the most populated city in Texas, named after Sam Houston in 1836. it is pronounced "Hew-ston" or "Heuston." Houston Street in New York City is named (by…
Icehouse (Ice House)
The "icehouse" (or "ice house") began life as a house to store ice. Later, that included beer and other cold drinks. The icehouse became a grocery, a bar, a cafe, a gambling…
“Ropers and Dopers” (cowboys and hippies)
Austin in the 1970s (especially at the Armadillo World Headquarters) was known for its "ropers and dopers" -- cowboys and hippies. Many articles about Willie Nelson mention his 1970s…
“Long Live Longnecks” (Lone Star Beer slogan)
Long-necked bottles were used for beer in the 19th century, and perhaps earlier than that. Lone Star Beer ("The National Beer of Texas") has long used long-necked bottles, called…
Cajun Microwave (La Caja China; Roasting Box)
A "Cajun microwave" is not an electric microwave oven at all. It's a "roasting box" where the food is cooked underneath the heat source (usually coals). There were…
“Peace, Love and Crabs” (Joe’s Crab Shack)
Joe's Crab Shack began in Houston in the 1990s, but now Joe's has well over 100 locations across the United States. "Peace, Love and Crabs" is its t-shirt slogan, since 1991.…
“Serving great food since the hippies showed up” (Waterloo Ice House, Austin)
The Waterloo Ice House began in 1976 and now has several locations in Austin. Waterloo is known for its American fare -- such as hamburgers and beer -- but it's also family friendly.…
Small Town Charm, World Class Culture (Orange slogan)
"Small Town Charm, World Class Culture" is the 2008-issued slogan of the city of Orange, Texas. It is not known if "the Big Orange" was considered. Wikipedia: Orange,…
NoLo (North Loop in Austin)
"North Loop" is the area along North Loop Boulevard in North Austin. The City of Austin established a plan in 2002 to redevelop the neighborhood. North Loop is now so trendy that it has a…
P-ville (Pflugerville nickname)
"P-ville" is a shortened version of the name of the city of "Pflugerville." Pflugerville (whose slogan is "Where Quality Meets Life") is a rapidly growing suburb of…
Where Quality Meets Life (Pflugerville slogan)
"Where Quality Meets Life" has been the slogan of the city of Pflugerville since 2005. Pflugerville is a rapidly growing suburb of Austin, the capital of Texas. Other slogans considered…
Big Apple Mojito
Since about 2000, there has been a Big Apple Martini (Big Apple-tini). In 2005, Bacardi launched its Bacardi Big Apple rum. A "Big Apple Mojito" recipe soon followed. Wikipedia:…
Gorilla Bread
Gorilla bread is a new recipe that's been cited on the internet from only 2000. Paula Deen served gorilla bread to Jimmy Carter on her Food Network show in 2005, and this helped popularize the…
Turducken (Churkendoose; Chuckey; Churkey; Qua-duc-ant; Osturducken)
"Turducken" is a combination of turkey, duck, and chicken, all somehow stuffed together like Russian matryoshka nesting dolls. Trademark office records show that Paul Prudhomme claims a…
WD-40 (White Democrat Over 40)
WD-40 is a popular lubricant, often used in Texas. In 2003, some Texas Democrats referred to themselves as the "WD-40s" (White Democrats Over 40). The WD-40 company actually sent the…
“Put chili on stove to simmer. Broil a steak. Eat the steak. Let chili simmer. Ignore it.” (Shivers)
"Put a pot of chili on the back of the stove to simmer. Let it keep simmering. Meanwhile, broil a good sirloin steak. Eat the steak. Let the chili continue to simmer. Then ignore it."…
Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, Squash (Three Sisters Soup; Three Sisters Stew)
The Native American "three sisters" are the spirits of corn (maize), beans, and squash. The "three sisters" term dates to the 19th century and was probably first applied by the…