“Gun control means a steady aim”
"Gun control means a steady aim" is a phrase that's been used in Texas and many other western states. A Nebraska senator used the phrase in 1980. Free Market Fairy TalesAnd even in…
Archive for 10/2006
“Hotter Than a Stolen Tamale;” “Hotter Than a Fur Coat in Marfa”
There are many ways a Texan can say that "it's hot." "Hot tamales" are hot. Something stolen is "hot." So what could be "hotter than a stolen tamale"?…
“West of the Pecos there is no law; West of El Paso there is no God”
Judge Roy Bean (1825-1903) was known as the "Law West of the Pecos." He didn't like to be appealed, and his decisions (as can be imagined) were not always fair. The land west of El…
Bowl of Red (chili)
Chili has been called a "bowl of red" since at least the 1940s. A popular book titled "A Bowl of Red" was published by Texas author Frank X. Tolbert in 1966. A Taste of Texasby…
Nacho (Nachos)
Nachos are tortillas with melted cheese and often other toppings (such as jalapenos). The name "nacho" comes from the name "Ignacio" of inventor Ignacio Anaya. It's said…
Texas Millionaires (cookies)
"Texas millionaires" are cookies with pecans and other goodies in them. It is not known who originated the name or the recipe. Cookbook ResourcesTEXAS MILLIONAIRES From: Classic Tex-Mex…
Mexican’t
"Mexican't" is another derisive slang name for a Mexican. The term was used in the 1990s and made a recent appearance in the Urban Dictionary. Urban Dictionarymexican'tA…
Greaser
"Greaser" is an epithet for a Mexican that was used in the 1840s, during the Mexican-American War. The derisive term still has some currency today. (Historical Dictionary of American…
Wetback (Wet Back)
"Wetback" (or "wet back") is a derisive slang term for a Mexican (who crosses the Rio Grande into Texas and has a "wet back"). The term has been used from at least…
Texas Hash
"Texas hash" contains ingredients such as hamburger, onions, peppers, and chili 10 September 1893, Washington Post, "Famous as Gastronomes: How Some Members of Congress Will Be…
Migas (crumbs)
"Migas" is Spanish for "crumbs." It is usually short for "huevos con migas" -- scrambled eggs with tortilla crumbs. Migas is a popular Tex-Mex breakfast dish.…
Breakfast Burrito; Breakfast Taco
The breakfast burrito and the breakfast taco both first became popular breakfast fare in America beginning in the 1970. The breakfast burrito is recorded in New Mexico from the mid-1970s, and the…
“Eyes of Texas” (University of Texas alma mater)
"The eyes of Texas are upon you" was a favorite saying of Colonel William Prather (1848-1905), a president of the University of Texas. In 1903, John Sinclair wrote the song "The Eyes…
Lone Star Showdown (Texas Longhorns vs. Texas A&M Aggies)
The "Lone Star Showdown" is name for athletic competitions where the University of Texas Longhorns play the Texas A&M Aggies. The name "Lone Star Showdown" is trademarked…
Slang Jang (Slangjang)
"Slang Jang" (or "slangjang") is a dish from Honey Grove in Northeast Texas. The ingredients of this hot pepper relish vary, but tend to include oysters, onions, pickles,…
Dobe (also Dobie, Doby) Biscuit
"Dobe" biscuits (also "dobie" or "doby") are sourdough biscuits. The name was used by the 1870s and is largely of historical interest today. "Dobe" is said…
Texas Ranch Beans
Texas ranch beans (or just "ranch beans") are barbecue baked beans with a western name. TexasCooking.netreliefBarbecued Baked BeansBarbecued Beans are very similar to the so-called Ranch…
Texas Manhattan (cocktail)
A "Manhattan" cocktail is whiskey and vermouth. This "Texas Manhattan" is a little different. The Jamisons are given credit for this drink. Texas Home Cookingby Cheryl Alters…
Texas Potatoes
"Texas Potatoes" is a recipe that adds chicken soup and cheddar cheese to hash browns. The origins of the recipe are unknown. Recipes have been cited from the 1990s. Cooks.comTEXAS…
West Texas Sunset (cocktail)
The "West Texas Sunset" cocktail is not nearly as popular as the similar "Tequila Sunrise." Pomegranate juice is used rather than grenadine. Best of Minneapolis 2002 Bar…