Pocho & Pochismo
"Pocho" is a term for a Mexican who lives in the United States. "Pochismo" is an English word given a Spanish form or pronunciation. "Pocho" is generally regarded as…
Pointy Boots
Texas Governor Rick Perry was frequently called "Pointy Boots" in June-July 2011, when Perry flirted with running for president. KLBJ-AM 590 (Austin) radio personality Jeff Ward used the…
Pole Tax (homophone of “poll tax”)
"Tits for tots" (a pun on "tit-for-tat") was the nickname pf a proposed 2004 Texas strip club tax that would, supposedly, have raised revenue for the education of Texas…
Politiquera (campaign worker or vote broker)
A "politiquera" is a "campaign worker" (or "vote broker") and is a familiar figure in South Texas. The politiqueras are mostly female, and they drive people to the…
Ponche Navideño or Ponche de Navidad (Mexican Christmas Punch)
Texans of Mexican heritage often serve a traditional Ponche Navideño or Ponche de Navidad (Christmas Punch). The drink is usually made with tecojotes (a Mexican fruit resembling a crabapple, not…
Pooch (puchera/puchero?)
"Pooch" was a cowboy stew of tomatoes, sugar, and bread. The name probably comes from the Spanish puchera or puchero, meaning a stew. However, more historical citations are needed;…
Poor Boy (four lane undivided highway)
A "poor boy highway" is a four-lane undivided highway (usually converted from a two-lane highway, with paved shoulders). It's a "poor boy's" way to make a four-lane…
Poor Boy Sandwich (Po’ Boy Sandwich)
The "poor boy" ("po' boy") sandwich began in New Orleans, about 1929, when it was popularized (or coined) by Benny and Clovis Martin. It's another regional sandwich…
Popo (Pissing Off a Police Officer?)
"Popo" is slang for a police officer. Some people think the word "popo" is an acronym for "pissing off a police officer." There is some evidence that this slang…
Poppy Seed Dressing
Poppy seed (or poppyseed) dressing is often associated with Helen Corbitt, the Dallas cookbook author and Neiman Marcus food manager in the 1940s and 1950s. She admitted that she helped to…
Pork Chopper (helicopter used for shooting hogs)
The Texas legislature heard a bill in 2009 to legalize "pork choppers" -- helicopters ("choppers") used to hunt feral hogs ("pork"). "Pork choppers" were…
Port A (Port Aransas)
Port Aransas is called "Port A" by local residents. The shortened name has spread to its many visitors. Wikipedia: Port Aransas, TexasPort Aransas is a city in Nueces County, Texas, on…
Port Arthuran or Port Arthurian (inhabitant of Port Arthur)
"Port Arthuran” is the name of an inhabitant of Port Arthur, Texas. The name “Port Arthuran” has been cited in print since at least 1927. "Port Arthurian" has been cited in…
Posole (Pozole)
Posole (or pozole) is a soup or stew that's commonly served in New Mexico and West Texas. It originated in Mexico, but became popular in New Mexico around 1900. Wikipedia: PozolePozole (from…
Potachos (potato chips + nachos)
"Potachos' (sometimes spelled "potatchos") are "nachos" with potato chips instead of tortilla chips. Thick kettle chips are used. There are various cheese, tomato,…
Pottery Capital of the World (Marshall nickname)
The city of Marshall has several pottery stores and has called itself "Pottery Capital of the World" (or "Pottery Capital of Texas" or "Terra Cotta Capital of the…
Prairie Fire (hot hors d’oeuvre)
"Prairie Fire" is the name of the hot hors d'oeuvre that was served by Helen Corbitt, of Neiman-Marcus fame, in the 1950s. Helen Corbitt's Cookbookby Helen CorbittBoston:…
Prairie Fire (Tabasco and tequila cocktail)
"Prairie Fire" is a hot cocktail of tequila and Tabasco sauce. It is not known where the drink originated. WikipediaCanadian Prairie Fire½ to 1 part Tabasco sauce 1 part Yukon Jack…
Prayerpalooza
Texas Governor Rick Perry scheduled a day of prayer, officially titled "The Response," at Houston's Reliant Stadium on August 6, 2011. About 30,000 people attended what many viewed…
Presidential Corridor
The "Presidential Corridor" is the road (or roads) between the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum (opened in 1971, at the University of Texas at Austin) and the George Bush…