Wrecking Crew (Texas A&M football defense)

"Wrecking Crew" was the nickname of the Texas A&M Aggies football team's defense in the late 1980s. The nickname was coined by then-Aggie safety Chet Brooks, based on how he…

XIT City (Dalhart nickname)

The incredibly large XIT Ranch was 3,000,000 acres and was traded to its owners so that Texas could pay for the construction of just one building -- the state capitol in Austin. The XIT Ranch (the…

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…

Yamboree

The city of Gilmer in East Texas has held its yam festival, called Yamboree, since 1935. It's said to be the oldest continuing food festival in Texas. Handbook of Texas OnlineGILMER, TEXAS.…

Yankee Burger (hamburger with ketchup)

A ""Yankee Burger" is a hamburger (or cheeseburger) with ketchup. In most parts of the country, this is simply called a "hamburger" (or "cheeseburger"). However,…

Yankee Dime (a kiss)

A "Yankee dime" is a quick kiss. The term is often said to be from Texas, and said to derive from the Civil War. "Yankee dime" is cited in print from 1846, and is popular…

Yeehaw (Yee-ha; Yee-haw)

"Yeehaw" (or "yeeh-ha" pr "yee-haw") is similar to the yell "yahoo!" It indicates excitement, exuberance, and delight. "Yee-haw!" is imitative of…

Yellow Velvet (corn and squash dish)

"Yellow Velvet" (a simple corn and squash dish) is said to be a Shaker recipe from the nineteenth century. Butter, cream, and fresh ground black pepper are usually included in the recipe.…

Yokelhoma or Yokelahoma (Oklahoma nickname)

"Yokelhoma" or "Yokelahoma" is an unflattering nickname from people who think that Oklahoma or the University of Oklahoma is filled with a bunch of "yokels." The term…

You Have No Idea (El Paso slogan)

"You have no idea" is the 2007 slogan for El Paso. City leaders discovered that many people (both Texans and non-Texans) had no idea what El Paso was like. A previous El Paso slogan was…

You’ll Love Lufkin (Lufkin motto/slogan)

"You'll love Lufkin" is the motto/slogan of the city of Lufkin in east Texas. The Lufkin area has many trees and lakes and is being actively promoted as a retirement community.…

Yoyos or Yo-Yos (Mexican pastries)

"Yo-yos" (named after the still-popular 1920s toy of a disk on a string) is the name of a Mexican sweet bread (pan dulce) that resembles the toy, minus the string. A "yo-yo" has…

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…

Zydecajun (zydeco + Cajun)

American Cajun singer Wayne Toups has called his brand of music "zydecajun" (zydeco + Cajun). The name "Zydecajun" is also the formal name of his group that recorded an album in…