BIN (Born In Nacogdoches)
Nacogdoches is a small town; people who were born there take pride in their identity. "BIN" stands for "Born In Nacogdoches," cited in print from at least 1999. The city of…
Birding Capital of East Texas (Mineola nickname)
Mineola (near Dallas) was declared the "Birding Capital of East Texas" by the Texas Legislature in 2003. The Mineola Nature Preserve is a new park that the town hopes will attract…
Birthplace of Texas (Deer Park nickname)
Deer Park (in Southeast Texas) has called itself "the birthplace of Texas." The San Jacinto battlefield is near Deer Park; on April 21, 1836, the decisive victory of the Texans over the…
Birthplace of Texas Ranching (Goliad slogan)
Goliad has called itself the "Birthplace of Texas Ranching" since at least 1999, the date of the 250th anniversary of a Spanish mission in that city. The Mission Espiritu Santo -- now…
Birthplace of the Lone Star Flag (Montgomery slogan)
The city of Montgomery (in Montgomery County) claims the slogan of "Birthplace of the Lone Star Flag." In 1839, Montgomery resident Charles Bellinger Tate Stewart served on a committee To…
Biscochitos or Bizcochitos (anise seed cookies)
Biscochitos (or "bizcochitos") are anise seed cookies, often made into a fleur-de-lis shape. In 1989, bizcochitos were named the official state cookie of New Mexico. Biscochos (Spanish…
Black Mardi Gras (Texas Relays nickname)
The Texas Relays are an annual track event (since 1925) hosted by the University of Texas at Austin. The Relays bring together both high school and college students and there are many parties held…
Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World (Athens nickname)
Athens in East Texas calls itself the "Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World." The slogan dates from at least 1971, when Athens hosted a black-eyed pea festival. Handbook of Texas…
Blinky
"Blinky" is milk (or, rarely, another food product) that is beginning to turn sour. "Blinky" is used in Texas and other states in the South and Midwest. Language in Texas…
Bloody Maria (cocktail)
The Bloody Maria is named after the Bloody Mary. However, instead of vodka and tomato juice (as in the Bloody Mary), the Bloody Maria has tequila and tomato juice. The Bloody Maria is cited from…
BlowU (University of Oklahoma or OU nickname)
Football teams from the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma ("OU") play each year in the "Red River Rivalry" game. "BlowU" (or "blOwU") is a…
Blue Alert 〈“Amber Alert” for officers〉
The "Blue Alert" for law enforcement officers was patterned after the "Amber Alert" (children) and the "Silver Alert" (seniors). If a law enforcement officer is killed…
Blue Norther
A "blue norther" (or simply "norther" or "Texas Norther") is a strong northerly wind that's also combined with a decrease in temperature. The term dates from the…
Blue Santa
"Blue Santas" are police officers who play Santa Claus for Christmas. The program started in 1976 with the San Antonio Police Department, but other Texas cities also have their own…
Blue Steel
"Blue steel" can means many things. Steel goes through a "bluing" prcoess to protect against rust. Revolvers often have blue steel barrels. Two movies were titled "Blue…
Blue Tarp Mexican (slang for a Guatemalan)
Texas has many people of Mexican descent, but there are also increasing numbers of Guatemalans in Texas. According to the post below, Guatemalans in far west Texas are called "blue tarp…
Blueberry in the Tomato Soup (Austin political nickname)
Austin has been called the "Blueberry in the Tomato Soup" of Texas. In other words, Texas is a red state (Republican), but Austin votes blue (Democrat). Ther term has been around since at…
Bocoles
Bocoles are a form of gordita that are found in the Huasteca region of Mexico (San Luis Potosi and Veracruz). These masa (corn dough) and pork lard snacks have various fillings. Bocoles are rarely…
BOI (Born On the Island) & IBC (Islander By Choice)
Galveston has two distinctions for the people (non-tourists) who live there: "BOI" (Born On the Island) and "IBC" (Islander By Choice). "BOI" is cited in print from at…
Bois d’Arc Capital of Texas (Commerce nickname)
The city of Commerce was declared by the Texas Legislature the "Bois d'Arc Capital of Texas" in 1999. "Bo-dark" (as it's called) is a tree. Commerce holds an annual…