“I don’t have a dog in that fight”
President George Bush and political advisor and cabinet member James Baker (both from Texas) have been credited by William Safire for using "I don't have a dog in that fight" in the…
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“That dog won’t hunt” (LBJ)
President Lyndon B. Johnson said "that dog won't hunt" in the 1960s. The ultimate origin of the phrase (used since at least the 1930s) is unknown, but LBJ certainly popularized it.…
BBQ; Bar-B-Que; Q
Barbecue (barbeque) is popular in Texas and if often used by the initials BBQ, Bar-B-Que, Bar-B-Cue, or simply Q. "BBQ" was used in Los Angeles by at least 1938, but doesn't show up…
Deer Capital of Texas (Llano nickname)
Llano (city and county) is known as the "deer capital of Texas" (or "deer hunting capital of Texas"). Llano also is known as the "barbecue capital of the world"…
Cajun Capital of Texas (Port Arthur nickname)
Port Arthur is close to Louisiana and has been called the "Cajun Capital of Texas." 30 August 1969, Dallas (TX) Morning News, "About Cajun Cooking In Port Arthur Town" by Frank…
Shade Tree Mechanic
A "shade tree mechanic" is a mechanic who works part time, at his home, tinkering his vehicle beneath a shady tree in his yard. The "shade tree" term is very popular in Texas…
Strawberry Capital of Texas (Poteet nickname)
Poteet (south of San Antonio) has held a strawberry festival since 1948, has several strawberry monuments around the town, and proudly calls itself the "Strawberry Capital of Texas."…
Big Tex
"Big Tex" is the 52-foot-tall statue of a large Texan that greets visitors to the State Fair. His first appearance was in 1952. The State Fair has trademarked the "Big Tex" name…
Mushroom Capital of Texas (Madisonville nickname)
Madisonville has a mushroom processing plant (Monterey Mushrooms), so, in 2005, the town acquired the designation "Mushroom Capital of Texas." City of Madisonville, TexasFor those who…
Pancake Capital of Texas (Hawkins nickname)
Hawkins is the "Pancake Capital of Texas" because resident Lillian Richard portrayed "Aunt Jemima" for Quaker Oats from 1911-1947. Hawkins isn't known for producing great…
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…
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.…
French Fried Potatoes (Paris, Texas myth)
Does anybody really believe that french fried potatoes (french fries) were really named for Paris, Texas? Well, how about the Texas Legislature in 2006, where a bill mentioning this was proposed?…
Soup of the Devil (Devil’s Soup) (=chili)
Chili has been called the "soup of the devil" or "devil's soup." Yes, it can be hot. The term "soup of the devil" supposedly dates to the 19th century, but the…
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…
God’s Big Acre (Texas nickname)
Some people insist that "God's Big Acre" is another Texas nickname. If so, it's very seldom used. Search engines show just a handful of hits. The book God's Big Acre: Life…
Frijoles Refritos (refried beans)
Frijoles refritos (or "refried beans" in English) are a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine. The beans are cooked and mashed in hot oil. (Oxford English Dictionary)refry, v.trans. To fry again. So…
“Dance with the one who brung you” (Darrell Royal)
"Dance with the one that brung you" was a favorite expression of University of Texas football coach Darrell Royal. In sports, it means to go with the players and plays that result in…
“Rode hard and put away wet”
"Been rode hard and put away wet" (or "rode hard and put up wet") is when a person (or a car) is being driven hard, like a sweaty horse after a long, hard ride. It was a…
“Come Early; Be Loud; Stay Late” (Longhorns slogan)
"Come early, be loud, stay late" is the slogan that University of Texas football coach Mack Brown (from 1998 to 2013) started. While Brown was at the University of North Carolina, it was…