“Whole kit and caboodle”
"The whole kit and caboodle" is an older expression for what we might nowadays say is "the whole nine yards" -- that is, "everything." In the 1800s, the phrase was…
Archive for /P39040
“Between hay and grass”
"Between hay and grass" is said of the seasons, it being neither winter nor summer. It's also said of a young person, not a boy (or a girl) and not yet a man (or a woman). Old West…
Kolache Capital of Texas (Caldwell); Home of the Official Kolache (West)
The kolache (a Czech pastry) is so important that there have been two bills before the Texas leagislature! In 1989, the city of Caldwell was declared the "Kolache Capital of Texas." Then,…
Daffodil Capital of Texas (Round Rock nickname)
Round Rock was declared the "Daffodil Capital of Texas" by the Texas legislature in 2003. Round Rock holds an annual Daffodil Festival; the daffodil association began in the 1990s when…
Hail Mary (1975 Roger Staubach pass)
The famous "Hail Mary" pass was Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach's throw to wide receiver Drew Pearson in a December 28, 1975 football game against the Minnesota Vikings.…
“Made in Texas by Texans”
"Made in Texas by Texans" was a bumper sticker in the 1940s proudly displayed by vehicles from Texas's Ford plant. In 2006, Toyota trucks began to manufactured at a San Antonio…
“Hook “Em Horns” & “Hook ‘Em Cows”
The "Hook 'Em Horns" hand gesture (with index finger and pinkie standing up as "horns") was invented by then-University of Texas head cheerleader Harley Clark at a…
Barbecue
The etymology of the word "barbecue" shows that it appears to come from the word "barbacoa" (a long pit, with a framework of sticks) that was used in the 1500s and 1600s.…
Howdy (“Howdy, Pardner!”)
"Howdy" is simply from "How do you?" and dates to back well before the Texas became independent from Mexico. "Old Howdy" or William Harrison Martin (1822-1898) was a…
“What has six balls and screws Texans? The Texas Lottery!” (Kinky Friedman)
"What has six balls and screws Texans? The Texas Lottery!" declared Kinky Friedman in 2006, during his unsuccessful campaign for governor of Texas. It's an old line. Other state…
“Beat like a rented mule”
"Beat like a rented mule" sounds like it's a Texas phrase. It appears on lists of Texas phrases, and Texas speakers recently have used the phrase. The meaning of the phrase is to…
“How the cow ate the cabbage”
"How the cow ate the cabbage" means to tell everything ("straight talk"), like the cow eats everything. Ann Richards (then Texas State Treasurer) used "how the cow ate the…
“Knock off its horns, wipe its ass, and throw it on the plate” (Texan ordering “rare” steak)
"Knock off its horns, wipe its ass, and throw it on the plate" is a stereotypical order of "rare" steak by a Texan visiting a steakhouse. The line appeared in the Australian…
“Hotter than a Laredo parking lot” (Dan Rather, election night 2000)
Dan Rather (from Wharton, TX) was the anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1981-2005. On election night 2000, he let loose a slew of "Rather-isms" -- folksy sayings, both borowed and…
“Too much ain’t enough” (Lone Star Cafe, NYC; Darrell Royal)
The Lone Star Cafe in New York City was located on 61 Fifth Avenue (at 13th Street), and it existed between 1976 and 1989. The Lone Star featured performers such as Kinky Friedman and Willie…
“You can always tell a Texan—but you can’t tell him much”
"You can always tell a Texan (but you can't tell him very much)" was the title of a 1955 book by Boyce House. The classic saying had been recorded in a Texan version since at least…
“Neighbor, how long has it been since you’ve had a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili?”
"Neighbor, how long has it been since you've had a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili?" [Dramatic pause] "Well, that's too long!" Wolf brand chili was…
“You can’t say Dallas doesn’t love you, Mr. President” (Nellie Connally)
"You can't say Dallas doesn't love you, Mr. President" are the ironic words of Nellie Connally, wife of then-Texas Governor John B. Connally, to President John F. Kennedy in a…
Compañera; Compañero
Compañero (female, "compañera") is Spanish for "companion" or "friend" or "pardner." The term is used in western films and literature. (Dictionary of…
Y’all
"Y'all" (for "you all") is used throughout the South. "Howdy, y'all" quickly identifies someone from Texas. "Y'all come back" is heard at many…