Archive for 09/2006

Texas Fruitcake

Texas fruitcake is a specialty of the Collin Street Bakery of Corsicana, Texas. The bakery began in 1896, and its fruitcakes are now popular all around the world. Texas FruitcakeTexas Fruitcake…

Tamalero (tamale vendor)

A tamalero is a tamale vendor. The vendors were popular in Texas in the late 19th century. 24 November 1886, Galveston (TX) Daily News, pg. 1:The tamalero, on receiving what may prove to be his…

“Steers and Queers”

Texas has been called a "land of steers and queers." Sometimes, "beers" is added to that. The "steers and queers" chant has long been a popular Southern Methodist…

Chili Head

Someone who likes chili is called a "chili head." The Chili Appreciation Society (now the Chili Appreciation Society International, or CASI) began in the 1960s, and George Haddaway of…

Tenny Runners (or Tennie Runners)

Tenny (or tennie) runners are tennis shoes. The term is said to be used in Texas, but is also popular in many other states. Dallas SlanguageTenny RunnersA pair of athletic shoes Google Groups:…

Tump

"Tump" means to "spill," "tip," "dump," or "knock over." The exact origin is unknown, but "tump" is popularly used in Texas. (Oxford…

San Antone (San Antonio)

San Antonio has been called "San Antone" from at least the 1840s. 7 May 1840, Army and Navy Chronicle, "Texian Navy," pg. 296:Schooners:San JacintoSan BernardSan Antone January…

Chili Powder

Chili powder may have been invented (or at least popularized) by the Gebhardt Chili Powder Company of San Antonio in the 1890s. Chili powder contains ingredients such as cayenne pepper, garlic…

Chilympiad

The Chilympiad had been held in San Marcos since 1970. The chili cookoff event lost money in 2001 and 2002 and was cancelled in 2003. Handbook of TexasCHILYMPIAD. The annual Chilympiad celebration,…

Buildings/Housing/Parks

White Glove Building

A "white glove building" is a building with a doorman or concierge who wears white gloves. Some people think the term is for an ultraclean building that passes the "white glove…

Dallas County Jail Chili (Texas Prison Chili)

Dallas County Jail chili (or Texas prison chili) supposedly originated in the 1930s in the Dallas County Jail. Dallas Sheriff Smoot Schmid (sometimes spelled Smood or Schmidt) became famous for it.…

Chili Queen (or Chile Queen)

A "chili queen" (or "chile queen") was a woman most famously in the 1880 and 1890s who sold chili. The term was popular in San Antonio, and the chili queens operated near or in…

“Full of wind as a corn-eating horse”

"As full of wind as a corn-eatin' horse" has been on several Texas slang collections on the internet. The saying has been around since at least 1998. Texas TriflesFriday, March 19,…

Nicknames/Slogans

Proud City

"Proud City" was a short-lived nickname coined by Mayor John Lindsay in 1966. "Fun City" was also Lindsay's. 1 January 1966, New York Herald Tribune, pg. 1:John V. Lindsay…

Texas Draw (buy/sell agreement)

A buy/sell agreement is sometimes called a "Texas Draw" in real estate lingo. Detroit NewsSunday, February 2, 2003Taubman's son fights to save his dad's empireHe shows jailed…

City of Syrup (Houston nickname)

"City of Syrup" (or "Syrup City") is a nickname for Houston that was popularized by Big Moe's "City of Syrup" (2000) hip-hop recording. The nickname refers to the…

Texas Tonion (LongHorn Steakhouse)

The LongHorn Steakhouse chain of restaurants has trademarked a "Texas Tonion" deep-fried onion appetizer. Other Texas-themed foods are on the LongHorn menu. LongHorn Steakhouse

Metroplex (Dallas/Fort Worth nickname)

To celebrate the 1973 opening of the new Dallas/Fort Worth airport (then the nation's largest), a new name was used. In 1972, the North Texas Comission trademarked "Metroplex" and…