Archive for 02/2007

Texas Three-Step (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio)

The "Texas Three-Step" means a trip to the cities of Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. In the National Basketball Association, "Texas Three-Step" means a tough Texas road trip…

Texas Triangle (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio)

National Basketball Association teams often speak of the tough "Texas Triangle" road trip against the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. The term "Texas…

“Houston. It’s Worth It”

"Houston. It's Worth It" ("HIWI" for short) began in 2004; the unusual city promotional campaign acknowledges Houston's many problems, but declares that the city it…

“Keep Dallas Pretentious”

"Keep Dallas Pretentious" is yet another imitation of the popular slogan "Keep Austin Weird." "Keep Dallas Pretentious" T-shirts have appeared from 2005. "Keep…

“Lubbock Or Leave It”

"Lubbock or leave it" is a takeoff of the familiar phrase "love it or leave it." "Lubbock Or Leave It" was the title of a 2006 song by the Dixie Chicks. The origin of…

“Keep Lubbock Flat”

"Keep Lubbock Flat" is another takeoff of the popular city slogan "Keep Austin Weird." "Keep Lubbock Flat" dates from about early 2006. The seemingly endless imitation…

“Boy, Hidy!” (or “Boy, Howdy!”)

"Boy, hidy!" (or "Boy, howdy!") is now regarded as usually a Texas expression. "Boy, howdy!" was popular in 1918, during World War I. The origin or the phrase is…

City of the Violet Crown (Austin nickname)

Athens, Greece was called the "City of the Violet Crown" or "City of the Violet-Crowned Hills." Some say that when Athens was ruled by King Ion (Ion = "violet"),…

Chile Stand (Chili Stand); Tamale Stand

Many websites describe a "San Antonio Chili Stand" that was on display at Chicago's 1893 Columbian Exposition (World's Fair). Chile (chili) stands and tamale stands were popular…

Chow Chow

Chow chow is a Southern dish of vegetables such as cabbage, onions, peppers, tomatoes, etc. The name comes from pidgen English, and it is believed that "chow chow" was popularized by…

Fluff Duff

"Fluff duff" is "fancy food" in cowboy language. There is a date dish called "fluff duff" that dates to the early 1900s. 15 January 1908, Grand Rapids (MI) Tribune,…

Chow

"Chow" is a Chinese term and probably came into use in America in California in the 1850s. To the cowboy, "chow" meant something to eat. Google BooksDictionary of the American…