Investigating the origins of American words, names, quotations and phrases. Over 41,000 entries.
"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…
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 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!" is a saying that has appeared on bumper stickers. The saying began with Eddie Chiles and his Western Company (an oil services company)…
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 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" 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" 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…
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…
"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" was in Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar's first address to the Texas Congress. The words are the motto of the University of…
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…
The traditional "three r's" are "reading, 'riting, and 'rithmatic." In Texas, the "three r's" might be "riding, roping, and rodeo." There…
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'" was supposedly the motto of James Edward "Pa" Ferguson (1871-1944), the only Texas governor ever to be impeached. However, the…
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" 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" was said by Texas Senator Wilbert Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel in 1942. Needless to say, O'Daniel…
"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 (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…