10 Texas Phrases

When we travel and meet Texans, there are lots of times when they make note of our accent. They cite our use of “eh” as concrete evidence we are Canadians. So I will take this moment to turn it around a bit.

Almost everyone has heard the phrase “Everything’s bigger in Texas”. Well, here are nine other phrases that have caught our attention in the past two months – phrases learned through conversations or during our travels. They are in no particular order:

1. “The best car you can buy in Texas is a truck.” I’ve never seen so many trucks – way more than in Northern Ontario!

2. “Don’t mess with Texas.” Officially, this slogan refers directly to the state highway (or beach) littering program and the related high-dollar fines.

3. “I’m fuller ‘n a dawg-tick.” This is used to describe how you feel after a big meal. Brings a vision to mind, doesn’t it?

4. “A dawg on hunt doesn’t scratch his fleas.” Hunting is a huge sport in Texas. I gather a dog doesn’t get to his fleas until after the hunt.

5. “Texas – where folks know when you’re sick… and care when you die.” This is from Lyndon Baines Johnson. It was on an audio tape when we visited the LBJ Ranch near Johnsonville, TX.

6. “Other states were carved or born. Texas grew from hide and horn.” This is from a poem about the longhorn cattle drives.

7. “Never squat on your spurs.” This one fits cowboys or cowgirls!

8. “No firearms allowed.” This one is truly an original - we saw it on the entrance doors to the local movie theatre.

And last but not least,

9. “Beer: so much more than a breakfast drink!" This one certainly applies to more locations than Texas!

There are others but we thought you’d enjoy these…

We are headed into Louisiana by the end of the week. Talk to you then… m.