“It’s a Texas Thing” (“It’s a Texas Thang”)
"It's a Texas thing" (or "It's a Texas thang") became popular in the 1990s, when the phrase appeared on T-shirts. Doug Moreland's song "Texas Thing" is…
“It’s always better to be a pallbearer than to be a body”
Ann Richards (1933-2006), who served as Texas governor from 1991 to 1995, said in 1997: "You know, there's an old Texas political proverb that says: It's always better to be a…
“It’s been one hell of a party” (Larry McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove”)
"It's been one hell of a party" is a memorable quotation from the television miniseries Lonesome Dove (1989), based on Larry McMurtry's award-winning novel (1985). Internet…
“It’s better to have lived in Texas and moved than to never have lived here at all”
"It's better to have lived in {X} and moved than to never have lived here at all" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "It's better to have lived in Texas and…
“It’s More Bueno” (Taco Bueno)
Taco Bueno is a restaurant that began in Abilene in 1967. The restaurant chain (a competitor to Taco Bell) now has many locations is several states and is headquartered in Farmers Branch, Texas.…
“It’s often hard to discern the difference between Texas Tough and Texas Stupid” (Molly Ivins)
The columnist Molly Ivins (1944-2007) was no fan of Texas governor and United States president George W. Bush (whom she nicknamed "Shrub"). Ivins wrote in her column on May 31, 2001 in…
“It’s so dry, the birds are building their nests out of barbed wire” (Texas heat joke)
"It's so dry, the birds are building their nests out of barbed wire" has made Texas joke lists since at least the early 1990s. There is some truth behind the joke. During the 1930s…
“It’s so dry, the catfish are carrying canteens” (Texas heat joke)
"It's so dry, the catfish are carrying canteens" is a version of a very old joke. In 1902, it was said that Southern California was so dry the coyotes were carrying canteens to cross…
“It’s so dry, the trees are bribing the dogs” (Texas heat joke)
"So dry the trees are bribing the dogs" was in a Texas proverbs list by Anne Dingue in the December 1994 Texas Monthly. The saying has been in many "Texas Sayings" lists since…
“It’s so hot, the hens are laying hard-boiled eggs” (Texas heat joke)
It's often joked that it's so hot in Texas, "the hens/chickens are laying hard-boiled eggs." TheTexas version of the joke dates to at least 1953. The "laying hard-boiled…
“It’s so hot, the trees are whistling for dogs” (heat joke)
The extremely hot Texas weather has been the subject of many jokes, such as: . "It's so hot, the trees are whistling for dogs". "It's so hot there that the trees are…
“It’s the last thing you take off and the first thing that is noticed” (cowboy hat)
"It's the last thing you take off and the first thing that is noticed" is supposed to be an old cowboy proverb about the cowboy hat, but only recent citations seem to exist. Google…
“Just a two-step back in time” (Coupland Inn and Dancehall)
"Just a two-step back in time" is the slogan of the Coupland Inn & Dancehall in Coupland (near Austin and Round Rock). The dance hall was built in 1910; a bar inside the dance hall…
“Just Like You Like It” (Whataburger slogan)
Whataburger (a fast food chain) got its start in 1950 in Corpus Christi, Texas. "Just Like You Like It" has been the Whataburger slogan since 2001. Wikipedia: WhataburgerWhataburger is a…
“Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas” (Dixie Chicks)
The Dixie Chicks hail from Dallas, Texas. At a London concert on March 12, 2003 (when the United States was at the brink of war with Iraq), Dixie Chick singer Natalie Maines said to the audience:…
“Just trying to find the YEE to my HAW, and I keep finding the HELL to my NAW”
"Just trying to find the YEE to my HAW, and I keep finding the HELL to my NAW" is a jocular saying that has been printe on many images. "Just trying to find the yee to my haw, and I…
“Katz’s Never Kloses” (Katz’s Deli and Bar slogan)
"Katz's Never Kloses" was the famous slogan of Katz's Deli and Bar, started by Marc Katz in 1979 at West 6th Street in Austin. It went 24/7 in 1983. There was also a Houston…
“Keep Abilene Boring”
"Keep Abilene Boring"is yet another imitation of the popular slogan "Keep Austin Weird." T-shirts with this slogan were made in 2006. The seemingly endless imitation Texas city…
“Keep Austin Weird”
"Keep Austin Weird" has appeared on bumper stickers since 2000. To some, the slogan promotes Austin's character and local businesses. To others, it shows that Austin is more liberal…
“Keep College Station Normal”
"Keep College Station Normal" is a gentle borrowing (trademarked in 2004) from the popular slogan "Keep Austin Weird." Sarcazm Creations has marketed items with the slogan. The…