Irish Coffee (Gaelic Coffee)
New York City has many Irish immigrants, but San Francisco claims the introduction of Irish coffee into America. San Francisco's Buena Vista Cafe's website states that writer Stanton…
Archive for 03/2007
“A cowboy is a man with guts and a horse”
"A cowboy is a man with guts and a horse" is usually credited to Will James (1892-1942), a cowboy artist and author. (Will James is not to be confused with the philosopher William James.)…
“There never was a horse that couldn’t be rode or a man that couldn’t be throwed” (Will James)
"There never was a horse that couldn't be rode or a man that couldn't be throwed" is a bit of cowboy wisdom that's been attributed to Will James (1892-1942), a cowboy…
Panuchos
Panuchos (corn tortillas with beans and meat) are more Mexican (Yucatan) than Tex-Mex, but they're slowing arriving the in the United States. President George Bush ate panuchos in a March 2007…
“Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction”
"Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction" is often said to be an old cowboy saying, but its author is unknown. The cowboy proverb is cited…
“It’s the last thing you take off and the first thing that is noticed” (cowboy hat)
"It's the last thing you take off and the first thing that is noticed" is supposed to be an old cowboy proverb about the cowboy hat, but only recent citations seem to exist. Google…
Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a Louisiana dish that is sometimes brought into Texas by the citizens of that state. Jambalaya features meat, vegetables, and lots of rice. The origin (and the spelling) of the word…
Do Texas Different (El Paso slogan)
"Do Texas Different" is a slogan (from 2004) for the city of El Paso. El Paso is quite separated from cities such as Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, and Texas tourists were…
Malfunction Junction (College Station)
"Malfunction Function" ia a nickname coined in a 1967 contest to rename College Station, home of Texas A&M. The nickname is sparsely used today and is largely historical, usually said…
Spring Forward, Fall Back
"Spring forward, fall back" is a ritual of Daylight Saving Time. The mnemonic "Spring forward, Fall back" was cited in The Spectator on May 2, 1931, and “Spring forward! Fall…
Yeehaw (Yee-ha; Yee-haw)
"Yeehaw" (or "yeeh-ha" pr "yee-haw") is similar to the yell "yahoo!" It indicates excitement, exuberance, and delight. "Yee-haw!" is imitative of…
“Keep Houston Dirty”
"Keep Houston Dirty" is not an unofficial city nickname, such as "Keep Austin Weird." It was the title of a September 1, 2006 show that featured Houston's graffiti artists.…
Nuclear Taco
The Austin-based SXSW festival has featured "nuclear tacos." These tacos are hot! According to the video "How to Prepare Nuclear Tacos," the secret scorching ingredient is the…
“A Texan is a Mexican who couldn’t swim to Oklahoma” (dirty joke definition)
A dirty joke definition of a "Texan" is "a Mexican ("wetback") who couldn't swim to Oklahoma." The "joke" was popular in Oklahoma, but not in Texas.…
SXSW
The SXSW ("South by Southwest") is really three festivals in one -- interactive, film and music. The Austin-based festival began in 1987. SXSW HistoryHistory of SXSWSouth by Southwest…
“Keep Abilene Boring”
"Keep Abilene Boring"is yet another imitation of the popular slogan "Keep Austin Weird." T-shirts with this slogan were made in 2006. The seemingly endless imitation Texas city…
Baja Oklahoma
"Baja Oklahoma" (lower Oklahoma) is an Oklahoma nickname for the state of Texas. The term is similar to Baja California. "Baja Oklahoma" is a gentle insult and is not normally…
“No more free lunch!” (Fiorello La Guardia)
Mayor Fiorello La Guardia allegedly said "No more free lunch!" -- in Italian, no less ("E finita la cuccagna!") -- at his 1934 inauguration. It was a declaration against…
Free Lunch
The concept of the "free lunch" began in America in the 1840s, probably in New York City. The idea is that people would pay for their drinks. Free lunches were popular in many other…
“Perseverance and sweet oil”
"Perseverance and sweet oil" seems like a Texas way of doing things, but this phrase dates from at least the mid-19th century. Google BooksHistory of the Express Businessby Alexander…