“No Brag, Just Fact”
"No brag, just fact" is sometimes said to be an old Texas saying, but it originated on the short-lived television western The Guns of Will Sonnett (1967). Will Sonnett (played by Walter…
Archive for 08/2006
“No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the Legislature is in session”
"No man's life, liberty, or property are safe while the Legislature is in session" is a classic political phrase that popularly began with a New York court decision in 1866. The…
“Texas is paradise for men and dogs, but hell for women and horses”
Describing American land as "paradise for men and dogs, but hell for women and horses" goes back to the early nineteenth century and has been applied to Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Idaho,…
“If English was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for Texas”
"If English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for Texas schoolchildren" is allegedly the quotation of "Ma" ( or "Pa") Ferguson, at a time when Spanish…
“There’s nothing in the middle of the road except yellow stripes and dead armadillos”
Former Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Jim Hightower's famous quotation is that there's nothing middle-of-the-road "except yellow stripes and dead armadillos." The line was…
“Agree with me on 9 of 12 issues, vote for me. Agree on 12 of 12, see a psychiatrist” (Ed Koch)
New York Mayor Ed Koch (1924-2013) said that no one should be expected to agree with him on everything, but people should vote for him if they agreed with his positions on most things. "If you…
Texas Room (family room)
A "Texas room" is real estate talk for a "family room" or "game room," or perhaps any room in the house that's large.…
Texas Hot Weiners (Texas Weiners, or Texas Wieners)
Texas Hot Weiners are famous, but where did they originate and when? The name is usually spelled "weiner" and not "wiener." While the food has long been eaten in Texas, the name…
“Poor New Mexico! So far from heaven and so close to Texas”
"Poor New Mexico! So far from heaven and so close to Texas" was allegedly said by New Mexico governor Manuel Armijo, about 1850. The phrase has been placed on bumper stickers. I…
“Texas—It’s Bigger Than France”
In the late 1990s, T-shirts and bumper stickers declared that Texas is "bigger than France." Will Rogers said much the same thing back in 1932. Texas Territories StoreBigger Than France…
Margarita (cocktail)
The "Margarita" (Spanish for "daisy") cocktail is a world-famous tequila-based cocktail, made with Triple Sec (or Cointreau) and lime juice and often served in a salt-rimmed…
“You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas” (Davy Crockett)
When Davy Crockett ran for a seat in Congress from Tennessee (1835), he declared that, if he lost, the people in his district "may go to hell and I will go to Texas." Crockett lost the…
Texas Tacks (thorns)
"Texas tacks" are thorns that can destroy bicycle tires. They're also called "bull heads" or "goat heads." http://nanaellen.com/psalm/gift.htmAlso, the pond was…
Texas U-Turn (Texas Turnaround)
The "Texas U-Turn" (or "Texas turnaround") is a lane that allows cars to make a U-turn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_U-turnA Texas U-turn, or Texas turnaround, is a lane…
Texas Martini (or Mexican Martini)
A "Texas martini" (also more popularly known as a "Mexican martini") has tequila instead of the usual gin and vermouth. Recipes vary, of course. Austin's Cedar Door is…
Texas Tuxedo
A "Texas tuxedo" might be the top half tux and the bottom half jeans and cowboy boots. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=texas+tuxedotexas tuxedoDenim jacket, denim jeans,…
Texas Stop
A "Texas stop" has also been called a "California stop." It's when a car is supposed to stop, but really merely slows down instead. AmericanIndian.netWHAT IS A…
Texas Stop Sign (Dairy Queen)
In 1999, Dairy Queen advertised itself as a "Texas stop sign." Urban DictionaryTexas stop signn. a Dairy Queen restauranttounge-in-cheek slang common among Texas transplantsby wayfarer…
Flowerpots (baked Alaska)
Helen Corbitt operated the Zodiac Room at Neiman-Marcus, and she created "flowerpots" (baked Alaska, served in an edible "flower pot"). Corbitt was a Texas culinary legend who…
Texas Turkey (armadillo)
"Texas turkey" is a name sometimes used for an armadillo. 22 June 1982, Frederick (MD) News, pg. A9:Known as "Texas turkey," armadillo meat is roasted over Texas campfires and…