Texas Sayings And Words Visitors Should Know
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Since the winter is fast approaching there are more and more
northerners down here in the south. Often they are short term visitors; not exactly
snowbirds but you get the drift. Sometimes just trying to talk to a true Texan
can be a bit challenging, especially if you don't know the local sayings,
phrases and just plain old weird Texasisms.This hub came about because a friend of mine from Calgary, Alberta asked me about a conversation they had with a Texan that left them a bit mystified.
The following is hopefully going to shine some light on the more common sayings
you may encounter while in the Lone Star State. Keep in mind that Texas is huge
and there are many regional sayings as well, but this should get you started.
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Understanding The Lingo
He's all hat and no cattle. – this is probably pretty obvious, but it is someone that likes to put on a good front or appearance but really has no credentials, real world skills or any knowledge on whatever he is spouting off about. In other areas this individual is the know it all, blowhard or the poser.
Toad choker – this is also referred to as a frog strangler or a turd floater, and means a heavy torrential downpour. Since most of Texas is pretty flat, heavy rains pose a true flash flooding hazard as well as lots of issues with closed roads.
Y'all – y'all, which is often pronounced yaaaaaallllllllll, is a way of referring to at least one other person. In general if you are talking to more than a handful of people the correct southern and Texas address would be "all y'all". This is sometimes a bit confusing but just go with the flow.
Do wut? – this is the standard response if you weren't paying attention or didn't hear what the speaker said for some reason. In other cultures the way this is often expressed is "excuse me" or "pardon me" or even "could you please repeat that?" Sometimes this phrase is expanded to "Do wut now?"
Greeze and Earl – despite what you might think, these are actually components to your car. Greeze, otherwise known as grease, and earl or oil, often cause stains on your hands or clothes. These stains are considered to be greezy, and are really problematic in hot weather. Of course you also have to constantly keep checking the pressure in your tiyures (tires) because the hot temperatures cause problems there as well.
Uh huh – when you say "thank you" often you were hear the response "uh huh". This should be interpreted in this situation as your welcome. It can also be a sign of agreement with the last statement made.
Bowed up – when someone is really angry and is taking on an aggressive body stance, they are said to be all bowed up. Kids that are talking back to their parents will often be told not to get all bowed up or they will get a "whipping".
Jaw Jackin – just talking to hear yourself or talking smack to someone. Jaw jacking is often combined with getting bowed up.
Hitched but not churched – this is a way of saying that a couple is living together without being married. In the Bible belt this is still a taboo, and there are many sayings that relate to heathens, sin and immoral behavior.
Broke bad – basically this refers to anyone that seems to come from a good family but he or she has gone over to the dark side. It can refer to horses that are incorrectly "broke" or trained, resulting in mean and unfriendly animals but in Texas it typically refers to people.
They are proud of that – being proud of something means that you place an unusually or unreasonably high value on some item that is really not worth near that amount. This is a subjective statement but it is commonly heard at auctions, swap meets, garage sales and farmer's markets.
Chunk – Ok, this one is really weird. If you are throwing something a short distance they say they are chunking it. Don't know why Texans don't say chucking it like the rest of the world but there ya go!
Neighbor – neighbors are the people in your community, someone you talked to once at the Dairy Queen that lives up (or down) the road, someone you are distantly related to through marriage or someone that lives in the same county as you do. It really doesn't have anything with physical address locations and can be really misleading.
Coke – anything that is called soda or pop anywhere else is called Coke in Texas. For example, Coke can be Pepsi, Sprite, Dr. Pepper or almost anything else that fizzes and comes in a can or bottle.
Tea – tea is always iced tea and is always sweet iced tea unless you specifically ask for unsweetened. If you have never had southern sweet tea you may want to try a small taste before ordering a whole glass. Let's just say it is sort of like drinking icing!
Not plum but pert near – this is a highly descriptive and phonetic way to say everything isn't exactly perfect but it is close enough to be workable. If someone asks you how you are doing you can always answer "fair to midlin", which is the equivalent of not plum but pert near!
Fix'in – this is the ultimate in Texan speak. Fix'in, which is not said fixing but is sometimes pronounced as "fiddin", is a way to indicate that at some yet to be determined time some action is going to be taken. An example of this would be "I'm fix'in to go to the store". Notice this doesn't indicate when and can be also used to indicate you are thinking about possibility doing something sometime.
For those Texans out there, please feel free to add a few statements of your own and help out those visitors to your great state to feel right at home, y'all!
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Nice choice of videos. I went to school with Brian Burns. Notice he starts with Waco. :) He's one of the nicest Texas country singers you'll ever meet.
Yaonttoo (pronounced ya-ont-too)...We can go to the store now if yaonttoo. ("if you want to" all as one word)
Thanks Eddientexas and KCC for your additions to the list. I love that video, hope to find more of Brian Burns singing KCC.
Hahaha! Some of these were new to me and I have now lived in Texas most of my adult life. I remember when we moved from Wisconsin to South Texas, it was literally hard to understand some of our neighbors........real neighbors that lived next to and behind us. We gradually figured out most of the lingo.
I remember stopping in a cafe for lunch in West Texas a few years ago and my mother and I were absolutely mystified by some of the conversations in the booth next to us. I KNOW they were speaking English.............guess it was just some West Texas English. LOL
Thanks Peggy and I know what you mean! I still have trouble over in west Texas sometimes, although I am getting a lot better. It seems you don't hear as many of these sayings in the larger centers, you have to get to the smaller rural places to be really Texified!!!
Great video and terrific translations. I don't speak much Texan, but enough to get along I guess:-) This was fun.
Thanks robie2. I enjoyed that video as well, who knew that KCC went to school with the singer, small world!
Goat Rodeo..sort of a exas version of a chinese fire drill
Thanks Mbshine, I haven't heard that one so one more for the list!
What a surprise to see our picture on this site. That piece of metal art is sitting on a bench I bought in Lubbock, Texas years ago. We own the largest online store for Texas gifts and decor and we don't mind your using our photos, we just would appreciate the credit...www.txtraders.com. Thanks!
Sorry texastrader. The image has been removed I apologize as there was no credit given in the site I obtained the image from.
www.txtraders.com I was going to go over to your site then I thought heck no cause down here when someone brags about (in this case used a pic of metal art) your stuff you oughta be proud.. you got freely promoted with or with out your address. Instead you self promote here without that photo. The way I see it you oughta give Mardi some promotion on your site for being so kind.
sksmith60,
Thanks for stopping by. I just want to clarify that texastrader didn't ask me to remove the photo, I chose to do that as I thought it was a free use photo on a image website I have used in the past. I can see their point, if it was their image they deserve credit, but I just don't have time to track this all down, was easier just to take it off.
Take care and enjoy the summer heat!
So for us Brits we not only have to learn 'American' words we also have to learn Texas words if visit there.
Expats,
Thanks for reading. Don't worry, everyone here is more than willing to help you speak Texan!
I am a GRIT...Girl Raised in Texas!!! I was born and raised in Pampa, Texas in the Panhandle. One of the Texas quips I love is "pitchin' a hissy fit". My husband's family is from East Texas. They don't take anyone someplace down there, they "carry" you, such as, I carried Mother to the store today. I am always "fixinto"...and I love that in Texas every soda pop is called a Coke...You want a Coke? What kinda Coke do want...how 'bout a Dr. Pepper? I love, love my native state. Haven't lived there in over 30 years but am planning on returning there to live very soon. I have been away long enough. I long to go where they all talk just like I do!!!
GRIT1951
Thanks CornerStone51 aka GRIT 1951!
I appreciate you taking the time to comment and add to the discussion. It is interesting, we also use the term pitching a hissy fit in Canada so I was familiar with that one. I hope you are soon back in Texas, it is a great place to spend time even for us non-natives!
I've spent my whole life here in Texas (East Texas to be exact..more cows than people..lol). Here are a few more quotes to add to your list:
That dog'll hunt (or won't hunt)- That will do the trick (or won't do the trick)
More nervous than a long-tailed cat in a roomful of rockin' chairs- Someone (usually male) being nervous to meet the folks (usually the father of said date for the first time)
Fair to midlen- my dad uses this all the time. It means your day is going ok, not so bad, not so good.
Erin,
Thanks so much for your additions to the list! It took awhile for me to get used to the language but I have it down now - well almost.
lol, very funny
Hey Granny's House, thanks for the comment. Glad you had a laugh.
What about phrases used instead of cussing..like instead of "son of a b****"...I've uses..."San Antonio texas"...and another phrases I've heard is "juwana go"..instead of "do you want to go"
Hey there girl!
Thanks for the comment. You have added to the list and I appreciate you!
Careful not to tump over your coke... else you'll get sprite ever-where!
LOL!
Thanks LRA - that Coke thing gets me every time, not sure how that came about down here but it would be interesting to find out.
my momma always said : go on about your rat killin'
which usually meant - go away and find something to do ,or that is all for now go on about your business
I'm from Nacogdoches, TX. I use to hear my mom tell tell folks to go that "do-hicky" when she wanted something and couldn't remember what it was called.
Thanks Mike G and Valerie for your additions to the list. I have heard both of these and they definitely should have been one here!
Cannot leave out the phrase "wallago".
My phone rang wallago and no one was on the line when I answered.
Another one that's used more than a few times "don get yer panties ina knot" which is usually said to a person who is a little ticked off. One that I use "ima going overyonder."
Reese and kyle,
Thanks for these great additions.
Coke doesn't refer to all sodas but specifically coca-cola and, most times, pepsi. Only in backwoods is all sodas called coke.
I am from Southeast Texas and we always refer to places that are nearby as "a hop, skip, and a jump" away. We also measure distances in time. For example, Houston is about 2 hours east from here, or "the ____________[insert location/building here] is about 10 minutes thataway."
Leah,
Thanks for your comment, I guess I just have managed to hit a lot of backwoods places!
Sam,
You are right about measuring distances by time. I do that too, but it is more meaningful to most people than giving the actual miles! Great comment, thanks.
I have grown up in Texas from ne to se and all sodas are referred to as coke from Dallas to Houston.
Thanks for your input on the great coke debate Reese, that has been my experience here as well!
One of the best hubs I've read! It made me laugh, mostly because living in Texas I have heard or say most of these quotes. You taught me a few new ones. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your kind words applecsmith. I have found myself becoming more Texanized as time goes on!!!
This makes me miss my Texas!
Born and raised in Texas...it is so funny because we do use alot of these words n phrases! We also use ain't (isn't) and you can't forget yup(yes)
Aight guys, I can honestly say that most of these sayings havent been used since the eighteen hundreds. However, we do say: Yall, uh hu, do what, chunk, neighbor, get er dun, and fixin. But we mainly say these to annoy people that arent from here lol. But yeah, the tea thing is an absolute myth. The people will ask if you want tea sweet or unsweet. Oh, and the rest of the sayings arent really true... Bye!
Ray,
Thanks for your comment. Texas is a big state with lots of diverse populations. I have to say that this was a list of actual words, phrases and sayings that I hear in my work and that my friends, neighbors and coworkers actually do use, but I am sure that not all people in Texas or visiting Texas have this experience.
Ray I use y'all, uh huh, fixin, and chunk all the time sometimes in one sentence!!O.o lol "thanks" "uh huh, now y'all go check if theres anything else we needa chunk I'm fixin to take this to the dumpster" lolXD
Texas is not mostly flat btw. And it's not all dirt either infact Texas has a large forests.
Absolutely Redland great point to note. I live in east Texas surrounded by massive pine woods!
These all made me laugh. I was reading the 'chunking' one, which I say, and saw that it said everyone else says 'chucking'. Chucking sounds weird. Thats probably because I've grown up saying chunkin. The 'yall' definition was accurate too. I also say 'all yall'. That one made me laugh.
Carman,
Thanks and glad you got a chuckle out of this. Chucking is what we say up in Canada, at least where I am from.
what about "wudda" as in "I wudda went to the grocery store but my truck broke down"
Jennifer,
Absolutely and thanks! I wudda thought of that by and along.
My grandma who lived in The Panhandle of Texas Borger to be exact would tell to go and pick a switch which meant i was gonna get a bustin if i wasnt careful and she had to choose which one she gotta use on me
I have heard that one a bunch Josh too, thanks for the comment!
Delightful! I often refer to Texas a separate entity because Texans are just so unique. A wonderful place in America but cultural so diverse. LOVED this hub! I learned allot and cannot wait to return to Texas.
BYW what is with Texans having a second home in Colorado?
GmaGoldie,
Thanks for your kind comments and glad you stopped by. Maybe the Texans long for the mountains, the ones that they call mountains here are really just big hills!
I live in Southeast Texas and my mom would always say they will get there cumuppins which means they will get what is coming to them and also they have a long roe to hoe which means they have a lot of hard times ahead of them.
Another two I have missed. Thanks Tammy for stopping by and adding to the collection!
D'ya eat yet? Wunt to?
Did you eat yet? Do you want to?
And my mother-in-law's favorite: Like piss ants on a meat rind.
Gotta love that last one Patric! Thanks for stopping bye and leaving your comments.
Where the hell are yall going to? I've lived in Texas my entire life, and yes, we say chunk, because CHUCK sounds WEIRD! Y'all, its common..everyone says it even the city folks. Any ways. I lived in easy Texas for a big chunk of my life,I lived in a town where my Highschool, elementary, and middle schools all put together has about 200 some odd kids. But the point is, we don't use half the stuff that is on this list.
OOPS, I meant east Texas.
Oh! Icebox is used for fridge! I'm fixin to is used alot.....titty baby....hissy fit.....quit poutin, when someone gets mad.....and a bunch more haha
Hi Ashley,
Thanks for adding on there are a lot of different local sayings so some of those are on the list.
I didn't read all the comments, so I don't know if this one was mentioned, but "madder than a calf with a barbed wire tail" and "madder than a wet hen" are ones my family uses a lot... Oh, and "Katie bar the door" (means, this has to be done, basically. Ex: "We have to go to the meeting today, or Katie bar the door!") It's funny because my name is Katie. Lol :P
oh, and "over yonder." That's used a lot. It can be anywhere. Just make sure to point in the direction.
And, "I'm fixin to do that."
And, icebox instead of refrigerator... and if we don't say icebox, it's just fridge.
And, "More nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs."
OH! (I keep thinking of ones haha) And "Dadgumit" (used in place of curse words). Ex: *you drop something* "Dadgumit!"
This is for Leah, I am a fifth generation Texan, born and raised there for 30 years and now moving back after a few years in another state, and I have to say there in Dallas where I was born, not backwoods by any stretch of the imagination, we all say Coke for everything, not just coke. Plus I also wanna say that we Texans say y'all concerning two or more people...only non Texans trying to be Texan say y'all to only one person..it is you all with a contraction. Therefore not applicable to one individual. Thanks ^.^
Um that ain't true, true texans like unsweetened tea but the younger generation typically likes sweet. When you go somewhere and ask for Tea they'll say sweet or unsweet and a lot of times they dont have sweet.
Thanks Dayna, I think you are right about the generational thing!
Renee, that y'all thing can be confusing when people don't use it right!
"If it were a snake it wudhav bit me" refers to looking but not seeing something that is right in front of you..
Thanks Bage, hear that one a lot, great addition to the list.
I'm a native of Galveston, TX. In the local lingo, I'm a 'B.O.I.', or Born on Island. Some of my favorite Texanisms are:
'Greasy as lard' or 'lower than a snake's belly in a wheel rut', both used to describe a real scoundrel.
Chatting or talking a lot without saying anything important is 'making chin music'.
Something really big is 'Bigger than hell and half of Texas'.
'Throwed down hard' describes someone who is crazy (presumably from being bucked off a horse too many times).
An expression commonly used in reference to someone really stupid is, 'If dirt was dumb, s/he'd cover about an acre.'
I grew up in Dallas, and agree with all your comments. I think you missed one: "might could".
"Can you call Granny and Pappaw and tell them we're coming? - I might could after I wash my hands."
Thank you both JaninHouston and Angie C for your additions to the list. You hit some that I certainly forgot. Even the Pappaw one!!!
I'm born and raised in Dallas, TX. I don't know most of these sayings. I'm going to have to start using some of these. My favorite is from the comments "Bigger than hell and half of Texas." I'm going to start using that one. Haha.
Hi, I'm late seeing this article, just discovered it today because I was wondering why we say "Do what?" Very funny! I'm a native Texan. I have to say I agree with the above poster, Ray. Most of these sayings I have never heard of although there are a few we do say, like "Do What" and "fixin". (I think many of these are more hillbilly, not Texan.) Still, it was funny to read.
P.S. - I do like my sweet tea, but I use Splenda. :)
Another P.S. - I never knew the correct word was "chuck". I've been saying "chunk" all my life! I'll blame my parents for that one, lol!
I was born and raised in Texas. It's true that youll here "y'all, get er done, fixin, and aint" all the time. it's in our dictionary as proper grammer. also instead of saying "taken" we say "tooken". But all the other sayings are rarely used. the only places youll find those sayings are way back in the backwoods and dirt roads. youll at least have to drive 40-50 from any airport to find a small town place that speaks like that. plus we are known for our sweet tea but all resturants ask unsweet or sweet tea.
Eddientexas 2 years ago
"nine line bind" is being uptight emotionally or physically and refers to block and tackles.