MOPAC (Missouri-Pacific; Loop 1; More Packed; More Parked; SLOPAC; SLOWPAC)
MOPAC (also "MoPac" or "Loop 1") is a highway in west Austin. The highway was built along the Missouri Pacific Railroad, hence the "MOPAC" name. For those who've…
Moscow on the Colorado (Austin nickname)
The city of Austin is located on the Colorado River and is home to the University of Texas. The city (and university) has been attributed to have such liberal and anti-American leanings that some…
Moscow-on-the-Brazos (Austin nickname)
Austin is known to be more liberal than the rest of the state of Texas. "Moscow-on-the-Brazos" is a seldom used nickname for the town, borrowed from "Moscow on the Hudson…
Most Air-Conditioned City in the Nation (Houston slogan)
"Houston's hot," as the saying goes. Since the 1940s, to attract tourists and conventions, Houston has promoted itself as "the most air-conditioned city in the nation." No…
Mother of Texas (Jane Long)
Jane Herbert Wilkinson Long (1798-1880) was called the "mother of Texas" by at least 1894. Long came to Texas in 1819 and was one of the first Anglo women (although not the very first) in…
Mother-in-Law of the Army (San Antonio nickname)
San Antonio is home to Fort Sam Houston and other military bases. So many military men (including Dwight D. Eisenhower) married women while serving in the San Antonio area that the city has been…
Mother-in-Law Sandwich (tamale with chili, usually in a hot dog bun)
A "mother-in-law sandwich" is -- according to an old joke that dates back to at least the early 1950s -- cold shoulder and tongue. The currently popular "mother-in-law sandwich"…
Mount Bonnell (place name)
Mount Bonnell is a popular tourist destination in Austin, offering excellent views. It had long been thought that the name came from George W. Bonnell (?-1842), who moved to Austin in 1839 and…
Mountain Oyster (or Prairie Oyster)
"Mountain oysters" (also called "Rocky Mountain oysters" or "prairie oysters" or "calf fries," among many other names) are the testicles of animals,…
Mr. Bojangles (person and song title)
"Mr. Bojangles" is a 1968 song title by Jerry Jeff Walker (a popular performer on the Austin music scene, especially in the 1970s). The song describes a dancer, known throughout the…
Mr. Brown (“Mr. Brown Goes to Town”) & Miss White (BBQ terms for light/inside and dark/outside meat)
"Mr. Brown" means the dark, smoky outside of pork barbecue, and "Miss White" (sometimes "Mrs. White" or "Ms White") means the light, moist inside of pork…
Muffuletta (Muffaletta; Mufalatta; Muff Sandwich)
The "muffuletta" (or "muffaletta" or any number of spellings) is a sandwich that is served in a large, round loaf of crusty Sicilian bread, with three meats (capicola, salami,…
Mulita
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: TacoAlso prepared on the grill is a sandwiched taco called mulita ("little mule") made with meat served between two tortillas and garnished with…
Mumblecore
"Mumblecore" films have low budgets, unknown actors and often improvised scripts, with the actors seemingly mumbling their lines. Sound editor Eric Masunaga coined the term while at…
Mural Capital of Texas (Breckenridge nickname)
Breckenridge was named the "Mural Capital of Texas" by the Texas legislature in 2001. Murals were painted around the town by Billy Ines, based on historic town photos. ePodunk:…
Murder City (Ciudad Jua?rez nickname)
Ciudad Juárez (across the Rio Grande from the Texas city of El Paso) achieved the nickname "murder city" in 2010, with the publication of the book Murder City: Ciudad Juárez and the…
Mushroom Capital of Texas (Madisonville nickname)
Madisonville has a mushroom processing plant (Monterey Mushrooms), so, in 2005, the town acquired the designation "Mushroom Capital of Texas." City of Madisonville, TexasFor those who…
Nacanowhere or Naconowhere or Nacognowhere (Nacogdoches nickname)
The city of Nacogdoches claims to be the "oldest town in Texas," but it's not especially big (compared to Dallas or Houston). Some Texans consider Nacogdoches to be a…
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…
Nacho Cheese (“not your cheese” or “not yo’ cheese”)
Nachos is a Tex-Mex dish dating from about 1940. In 1966, Doritos tortilla chips were created by Frito-Lay (a Texas company). A popular Doritos flavor (since 1972) is "nacho cheese." By…