Barbecue
The etymology of the word "barbecue" shows that it appears to come from the word "barbacoa" (a long pit, with a framework of sticks) that was used in the 1500s and 1600s.…
Howdy (“Howdy, Pardner!”)
"Howdy" is simply from "How do you?" and dates to back well before the Texas became independent from Mexico. "Old Howdy" or William Harrison Martin (1822-1898) was a…
“What has six balls and screws Texans? The Texas Lottery!” (Kinky Friedman)
"What has six balls and screws Texans? The Texas Lottery!" declared Kinky Friedman in 2006, during his unsuccessful campaign for governor of Texas. It's an old line. Other state…
“Beat like a rented mule”
"Beat like a rented mule" sounds like it's a Texas phrase. It appears on lists of Texas phrases, and Texas speakers recently have used the phrase. The meaning of the phrase is to…
“How the cow ate the cabbage”
"How the cow ate the cabbage" means to tell everything ("straight talk"), like the cow eats everything. Ann Richards (then Texas State Treasurer) used "how the cow ate the…
“Knock off its horns, wipe its ass, and throw it on the plate” (Texan ordering “rare” steak)
"Knock off its horns, wipe its ass, and throw it on the plate" is a stereotypical order of "rare" steak by a Texan visiting a steakhouse. The line appeared in the Australian…
“Hotter than a Laredo parking lot” (Dan Rather, election night 2000)
Dan Rather (from Wharton, TX) was the anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1981-2005. On election night 2000, he let loose a slew of "Rather-isms" -- folksy sayings, both borowed and…
“Too much ain’t enough” (Lone Star Cafe, NYC; Darrell Royal)
The Lone Star Cafe in New York City was located on 61 Fifth Avenue (at 13th Street), and it existed between 1976 and 1989. The Lone Star featured performers such as Kinky Friedman and Willie…
“You can always tell a Texan—but you can’t tell him much”
"You can always tell a Texan (but you can't tell him very much)" was the title of a 1955 book by Boyce House. The classic saying had been recorded in a Texan version since at least…
“Neighbor, how long has it been since you’ve had a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili?”
"Neighbor, how long has it been since you've had a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili?" [Dramatic pause] "Well, that's too long!" Wolf brand chili was…
“You can’t say Dallas doesn’t love you, Mr. President” (Nellie Connally)
"You can't say Dallas doesn't love you, Mr. President" are the ironic words of Nellie Connally, wife of then-Texas Governor John B. Connally, to President John F. Kennedy in a…
Compañera; Compañero
Compañero (female, "compañera") is Spanish for "companion" or "friend" or "pardner." The term is used in western films and literature. (Dictionary of…
Y’all
"Y'all" (for "you all") is used throughout the South. "Howdy, y'all" quickly identifies someone from Texas. "Y'all come back" is heard at many…
Blinky
"Blinky" is milk (or, rarely, another food product) that is beginning to turn sour. "Blinky" is used in Texas and other states in the South and Midwest. Language in Texas…
Chile Relleno
Chile relleno ("chiles rellenos" is the plural, but it's sometimes incorrectly given as "chile rellenos;" there's also "chili relleno" and "chili…
Chile Colorado (Chili Colorado)
Chile colorado (or "chili colorado") means simply the Mexican red chile pepper. The earliest citations in English appear to come from Texas or New Mexico. Cooks.comCHILI COLORADO 1…
“Who will join old Ben Milam in storming the Alamo?”
"Who will join old Ben Milam in storming the Alamo?" (usually quoted as "Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?") was the appeal of Texas soldier Benjamin Rush Milam…
Condensed Milk (Borden’s Eagle Brand)
Condensed milk was patented in 1856 by Gail Borden, Jr. Borden took out the water and added sugar to condense the milk. Borden's Eagle Brand condensed milk quickly became popular for seamen…
Fixin’ to
"Fixin' to" ("fixing to") is a standard feature of Southern American English and dates from at least 1843. “‘Fixin’ to’ is the official verb of Texas” and…
Fixens; Fixins; Fixings
Fixens (or "fixins" or "fixings") are trimmings, the sides of any dish, or food itself. "Chicken fixings" are prepared chicken. The terms became popular about 1837.…