Fajitadilla (Fajita + Quesadilla)
A "fajitadilla" is a combination of a "fajita" and a "quesadilla." A large flour tortilla is filled with fajita chicken (or beef) and melted cheese. The term…
False Alarm Chili (1-Alarm Chili; 2-Alarm Chili; 3-Alarm Chili)
Fire departments have their false alarms, two-alarm fires, three-alarm fires, etc. This alarm system to describe the hotness of chili was first used by Wick Fowler, Dallas newspaperman and chili…
Fat Antonio (San Antonio nickname)
The city of San Antonio is often surveyed to have some of the fattest people in the United States. Some attribute this to the warm weather, which forces people to stay indoors in air-conditioned…
Father of Texas (Stephen F. Austin); Father of Texas Day (Nov. 3)
The "father of Texas" is Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836) and "Father of Texas Day" is his November 3rd birthday. Austin helped bring people to the city of Waterloo -- later…
Father of the Texas Panhandle (Charles Goodnight; George Tyng)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Charles GoodnightCharles Goodnight (March 5, 1836 – December 12, 1929) was a cattle rancher in the American West, perhaps the best known rancher in Texas. He…
Fauxl (faux + fall)
Texas is sometimes given more than four seasons. One extra season is called "fake fall" or "false fall" or "faux fall," sometimes called "fauxl." "Faux…
Felon City; Wicked Sticks; Kliffside (Bacliff nicknames)
Bacliff is an unincorporated town in Galveston County, formerly called Clifton-by-the-Sea. A September 9, 2008 article in the Houston (TX) Press detailed the crime in Bacliff and some of the…
Fiddler General (“Couldn’t get elected Fiddler General”)
"Fiddler General" is a fictitious position in government. When David G. Burnet ran for president of Texas against Sam Houston in 1841, it was allegedly said that Burnet…
Fiesta City or Fiesta Capital (San Antonio nickname)
San Antonio has held an annual Fiesta since the 1890s. One of the many nicknames of the city of San Antonio is "Fiesta City" (or, less frequently, "Fiesta Capital"). The…
First Monday Trade Days (Horse Monday; Dog Monday)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Canton, TexasCanton is a city in Van Zandt County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 3,292. It is the county seat…
Fish Taco (Lobster Taco)
The "taco" is a Mexican sandwich wrapped in a tortilla, usually containing meat. The "fish taco" became popular in the United States when Ralph Rubio first sold them from his…
Fixens; Fixins; Fixings
Fixens (or "fixins" or "fixings") are trimmings, the sides of any dish, or food itself. "Chicken fixings" are prepared chicken. The terms became popular about 1837.…
Fixin’ to
"Fixin' to" ("fixing to") is a standard feature of Southern American English and dates from at least 1843. “‘Fixin’ to’ is the official verb of Texas” and…
Flag City (Edna nickname)
The city of Edna is called "Flag City" because of its show of support for the Vietnam War in 1967-68. Mayor A. D. Tinker got fed up after he saw the anti-war demonstrations at the…
Flaquita (Flaco; Flaquities)
"Flaquita" (from the word "flaco") is Spanish for "little skinny one." It is the opposite of the "gordita," or "little fat one." Trudy's…
Flaquito
What is a "flaquito" (little skinny one)? And how is it any different from a "flauta" (flute") or a "taquito"? A "flaquito" is a flour tortilla rolled…
Flash Drought
A "flash drought" is similar to a "flash flood." In a flash drought, a sudden, unexpected burst of high temperatures and low humidity comes into an area and stays for an…
Flash Flood Alley
Central Texas (Austin to San Antonio) has been called "Flash Flood Alley." A 2004 documentary by that title has been made to publicize the flood threats. Flood SafetyTen Texas Flood…
Flauta
"Flautas" (flutes) are rolled tortillas (either flour or corn) with a filling (usually chicken or beef) that is deep-fried. Flautas often have cheese, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, and…
Flour Tortilla
Corn tortillas ("tortilla de maiz") date back several centuries, but flour tortillas ("tortilla de harina") are cited in the 19th century and are believed to have been first…