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…
Bola Tie (Bolo Tie)
The bola tie (or bolo tie; "bola" meaning ball) was declared the official neckwear of Arizona in 1971. In 2007, the Texas legislature had a proposal to make it the official necktie of…
Bolillo (Mexican bread)
"Bolillo" is a Mexican bread that's similar to French bread. The name "bolillo" means bobbin or spindle, and a short rolling pin used to make the bread also is called a…
Bon Appetex
The Austin Land & Cattle Company restaurant tells its customers: "Bon Appetex!" This Texas version of "bon appétit" hasn't spread to other Texas restaurants, however.…
Bonghorns & “Book ‘em, Horns!” (Longhorns & “Hook ‘em, Horns!”)
In 2006 and 2007, several members of the University of Texas "Longhorns" football team were arrested (for illegal drugs and other offenses). The team nickname of "Longhorns" and…
Boot Hill (cemetery for those who “died with their boots on”)
The Wild West had several cemeteries called "Boot Hill" (or "Boots Hill" or "Boothill"), for those who "died with their boots on" (from violence). Hays,…
Border Burger (South of the Border Burger; Tex-Mex Burger)
"Border Burger" has a nice ring to it, but it's also called a "South of the Border Burger" ("SOB" Burger) or a "Tex-Mex Burger." The hamburger sandwich…
Border Buttermilk (tequila sour)
"Border buttermilk" is not what it sounds like -- it's basically a tequila sour, containing tequila, lime or lemonade, and crushed ice. The drink is sometimes made with rum and was…
Borderplex
"Borderplex" is a term for the Texas and Mexican cities on that border. It is similar to the term "metroplex" (for Dallas-Fort Worth) from the early 1970s.…
Boremont (Beaumont nickname)
The city of Beaumont is so unexciting to some that it acquired the nickname "Boremont" by the 1990s. The city has promoted itself with new, official nicknames and has added entertainment…
Boss Hog Bowl or Boss Hawg Bowl (Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington)
Cowboys Stadium (home of football's Dallas Cowboys) opened in Arlington, Texas, in 2009. Sports journalist and radio personality Randy Galloway called the proposed stadium "Boss Hawg…
Botana (Botana Platter/Botanas Platter; Botana Plate/Botanas Plate)
Botanas (also called "antojitos") are appetizers or snacks. A "botana platter" or "botanas platter" (also called a "botana plate" or "botanas…
Boudain or Boudin (Boudain Balls or Boudin Balls)
"Boudain" is the frequently used Texas spelling for "boudin," a spicy Cajun sausage popular in Louisiana. Boudin noir consists of pork, pig blood, rice and spices. Boudin blanc…
Bowie Knife
The Bowie knife is popularly named after the hero of the Alamo, James Bowie. Rezin Bowie (Jim's brother) has also taken credit for inventing the knife. The knife became commercially popular…
Bowl of Blessedness (Will Rogers on chili)
Will Rogers supposedly called chili a "bowl of blessedness," but no one's found that quote. Chili Quotes and TriviaWill Rogers (1879-1935), popular actor, cattleman, banker, and…
Bowl of Red (chili)
Chili has been called a "bowl of red" since at least the 1940s. A popular book titled "A Bowl of Red" was published by Texas author Frank X. Tolbert in 1966. A Taste of Texasby…
Boy’s Town or Boys Town (Zona de Tolerancia; Zona Roja; Zona Rosa)
"Boy's Town" or "Boys Town" is a place in Mexico near the Texas border where "boys" go to find "girls." These places of prostitution are also called…