Zero U (Oklahoma University)
"Zero U" is an unflattering nickname of Oklahoma University (or "OU"). The nickname is most often heard by University of Texas Longhorns fans, especially when UT plays OU at the…
Red Light District
The origin of the term "red light district" is unknown. The term "red light district" is cited in Lousville in 1896, Denver in 1897, and New York City, Houston and San Antonio…
“Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet” (Whole Foods slogan)
"Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet" is the the slogan of Whole Foods Market, an Austin-based natural and organic foods supermarket that began in 1980. It's a whole lotta…
“Lift up the cow’s tail and look the situation squarely in the face” (LBJ?)
President Lyndon B. Johnson allegedly said that people should "lift up the cow's tail and look the situation squarely in the face." Some say that this is a Texas expression. The…
“Life is like a jar of jalapeños; What you do today may burn your ass tomorrow”
"Life is like a jar of jalapeños; What you do today may burn you ass tomorrow" is a food proverb, giving a Texas spin to the famous film line in Forrest Gump (1994). The Yale Book of…
“You can shoot a man with impunity, but you’d better not steal his cow”
Cows have value in Texas. This saying (not found elsewhere with these words) dramatically illustrates the point. 12 January 1936, Abilene (TX) Morning Reporter-News, pg. 4, col. 1:It calls to mind…
Texas oil well sayings
Texas has been known for its oil wells, so it's not too surprising that humorous proverbs have developed. 29 April 1954, Lincoln (NE) Star, pg. 4, col. 2:Old Texas SayingOther places have…
“If you don’t have an oil well, get one!” (Eddie Chiles of Western Company)
"If you don't have an oil well, get one!" is a saying that has appeared on bumper stickers. The saying began with Eddie Chiles and his Western Company (an oil services company)…
Tee-Pee & “Time and Patience” (Texas and Pacific Railway Company nicknames)
The Texas and Pacific Railway Company was nicknamed "Time and Patience" (it was slow) and "Tee-Pee." Wikipedia: Texas and Pacific RailwayThe Texas and Pacific Railway Company…
Texoma (Texas + Oklahoma)
Texoma is a blend of the names "Texas" and "Oklahoma." Lake Texoma was formed in 1944, but trademarks for the name "Texoma" have been recorded from 1909. Lake…
Mexican Polka (Conjunto)
"Mexican Polka" is another name for the accordian-driven music of conjunto. Polka: History of DancePolkaPolka is defined as a vivacious couple dance of Bohemian origin in duple time; was…
Texodus (Texas Exodus)
"Texodus" is a "Texas exodus." This can mean either an exodus from Texas or to Texas. The term "Texodus" became popular in the fall of 2005, after Hurricane Katrina…
“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…