“You ain’t from Texas, are ya?” (Dr. Phil McGraw)
"You aint from Texas, are ya?" is a catchphrase of television's "Dr. Phil" (Phillip Calvin McGraw). McGraw was born in Oklahoma, but went to school at Midwestern State…
Archive for 08/2007
Mixed Bathing (Mixed Swimming)
"Mixed bathing" was a term used in England for both sexes swimming together. In the 1890s, various groups wanted to outlaw "mixed bathing." In the 1920s, there was a strong…
Baptist tea (beer, disguised without foam)
"Baptist tea" is beer that's disguised, served without foam and often in an ice tea glass, often with lemon conspicuously at the top of the glass. This Texas term possibly dates back…
Santa Anna’s Revenge (traveler’s diarrhea or “Montezuma’s revenge”)
"Santa Anna's revenge" is a term (like "Montezuma's revenge") that was used in the 1960s for traveler's diarrhea -- especially after eating Mexican food.…
Texas House (Breezeway; Dog-Run House; Dogtrot House; Possum Trot House; Saddlebag House)
A "Texas house" (also called a "breezeway" or "dog-run house" or "dogtrot house" or "possum trot house" or "saddlebag house") is when two…
Boy’s Town or Boys Town (Zona de Tolerancia; Zona Roja; Zona Rosa)
"Boy's Town" or "Boys Town" is a place in Mexico near the Texas border where "boys" go to find "girls." These places of prostitution are also called…
Jimplecute (Jimpsecute)
"Jimplecute" is almost exclusively used as the title of the Jefferson Jimplecute, the fifth-oldest newspaper in Texas. The words "jimplecute" and "jimsecute" were used…
“If it’s inevitable, relax and enjoy it” (said of Texas weather)
Probably, the construction of this phrase began: "If the heat (of summer) is inevitable, relax and enjoy it." The phrase was also said of winter. A variant became: "If defeat's…
“The Republic of Texas is no more” (Anson Jones on 1846 annexation)
"The final act in this great drama is now performed. The Republic of Texas is no more." Texas President Anson Jones delivered these memorable words on February 19, 1846, during the…
“Eighter from Decatur, county seat of Wise” (“Ada from Decatur”)
"Eighter from Decatur, county seat of Wise" is the slang of craps shooters who want to roll an eight. It was sometimes given as "Ada from Decatur." "Eighter" is first…
Orange Heads or Orangeheads (UT Longhorns fans)
The University of Texas Longhorns athletic teams have the official team colors of burnt orange. Longhorns supporters have been called "orange heads" (or "orangeheads"), mostly…
Chicken Fried Kingdom (Texas nickname)
ESPN radio's Randy Galloway has called Texas the "Chicken Fried Kingdom." The term is from the popular Texas dish, chicken fried steak, with a hint of Disney's "Magic…
“Where the East Ends” (Dallas slogan)
"Where the East ends" is the Dallas response to Fort Worth's slogan "Where the West begins." The Dallas slogan is usually not used by itself, without Fort Worth's…
Herkie Jump (or Herky Jump, after Lawrence Herkimer; incorrectly as Hurkie Jump or Hurky Jump)
The "Herkie jump" (also sometimes spelled "Herky jump," and incorrectly as "Hurkie jump" or "Hurky jump") was invented and named after Lawrence Herkimer of…
Texas Tender
The third deck of a steamboat (or riverboat) was called a "Texas" (or "texas"), dating from about 1850. A waiter assigned to that deck was a "texas tender." The terms…
“I don’t jog. If I die, I want to be sick” (Abe Lemons, UT basketball coach)
"I don't jog," University of Texas basketball coach Abe Lemons has been quoted as saying. "If I die, I want to be sick." Lemons had already coached Oklahoma City University…
Whiney Orange (Whiny Orange)
"Whiney Orange" (or "Whiny Orange") is an unflattering nickname for the University of Texas Longhorns, whose team colors are burnt orange. Longhorn haters claim that the UT fans…
Zero U (Oklahoma University)
"Zero U" is an unflattering nickname of Oklahoma University (or "OU"). The nickname is most often heard by University of Texas Longhorns fans, especially when UT plays OU at the…
Red Light District
The origin of the term "red light district" is unknown. The term "red light district" is cited in Lousville in 1896, Denver in 1897, and New York City, Houston and San Antonio…
“Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet” (Whole Foods slogan)
"Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet" is the the slogan of Whole Foods Market, an Austin-based natural and organic foods supermarket that began in 1980. It's a whole lotta…