Posted on 12/26/2024 7:44:15 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the lexicon, as evidenced by the extensive list of local sayings and idioms used throughout the Lone Star State. These turns of phrase make it easy to spot a Texan from a mile away (though the ten-gallon hats and spurred cowboy boots certainly help as well). There are classic expressions, such as “howdy” and “y’all,” as well as some phrases you may not be familiar with unless you’re from Texas. Let’s look at some of the distinctive phrases that are particularly common among Texans.
“Fixin’ to” is the unofficial state verb of Texas. It’s used in a situation where you’re about to do something, but aren’t quite ready just yet. You might say, for example, “I’m fixin’ to go buy groceries,” which more or less means, “I’m planning to go buy groceries.” If someone says they’re “fixin’ to” do something, then it’s on their mind and likely to occur in the near future.
When you order a “Coke” in Texas, someone might ask you what kind. This may be confusing to non-Texans, as they probably just wanted a Coca-Cola. But “Coke,” like “soda” and “pop,” is a regionalism; Texans use the word to refer to any type of fizzy soft drink. So, if you want a Sprite, you may start by ordering a “Coke,” and then clarifying that you want a Sprite.
While a lot of slang words help to shorten sentences, sometimes Texans add words that make common phrases longer. This is the case with “might could,” which is a particularly popular Texan saying. While in most parts of the country you’d say, “I could take care of that,” in Texas you’d say, “I might could take care of that.” At the end of the day, these two sentences mean the exact same thing, but Texans like adding a little extra “might” in there.
Have you ever heard the phrase “all bark and no bite”? Well, in Texas — where there’s quite a lot of cattle — you’re far more likely to hear “all hat and no cattle.” Both idioms mean that someone is all talk and no action.
The phrase “bless your heart” can be received one of two ways in Texas. Sometimes it’s sincere and sympathetic, but more often than not it’s delivered in a condescending tone. Deciphering the meaning all comes down to context. Someone who tells you, “Bless your heart,” may actually feel sorry for you, or they may be judging you while maintaining a superficial perception of being nice.
People in Texas don’t just think — they “reckon.” This classic Texan slang is used in a variety of ways, such as for making a prediction or guess, or expressing a strongly held belief. For instance, someone might say, “I reckon that it’ll rain later,” or, “I reckon it’ll take a few hours to fix the car,” or even, “I reckon that BBQ is my favorite type of food.”
If someone says a person or animal “wouldn’t bite a biscuit,” it means they’re a kind and harmless creature. The implication here is that Texans love their biscuits with a passion, so anyone or anything that wouldn’t bite into such a tasty treat is viewed as pretty mild.
Last but not least, if you’re trying to convey something to an extreme degree in Texas, you may use the saying “all git-out.” This adverbial phrase is usually tacked onto the end of sentences in tandem with an adjective, as in, “The sun is as hot as all git-out,” or, “This brisket is as tasty as all git-out.” In any instance, it essentially means something is true to the maximum degree possible.
I thought it did.
I got heavy roots in Kentucky. Any you’ins played in red dirt? Boy, I’ll tell ya.
A quick Spelling Bee ask someone to spell it without writing it down.
Waxahachie.
Then ask if they’ve ever been there ?
“Texans think all these sayings come from Texas?”
NO
the author of this BS
Bennett Kleinman is a New York City-based staff writer...also a freelance comedy writer....and thinks plain seltzer is the best drink ever invented.
LOL! Great pic!
“Reckon” turns up in England a lot as well.
Is everything both big and old in Texas like it is in Pensacola? For example, “I’m gonna get me a big ol’ truck for my job next week!”
“Cut off the light.” (turn out the light)
Castreau does have cattle, but he uses them to trample on people’s speech rights and gun rights, as well as freeze bank accounts of people he doesn’t like.
“New York?...... it’s bad for America”
I’m in Alabama. Most of East Texas was settled by Alabamians.
Coke??? Not in my part of East Texas. It’s Sody Water (pronounced Soa-dee Water) when i relocated there in mid 90s. That was hard to stomach. Even stores had signs on them advertising such. The term has been slowly fading away.
All in all, this list should be divided to local jargon. Half of them I never heard of or encountered when traversing the state.
Actually it's not. You walk into a shop alone and the attendant asks, how y'all doin'?
In the deep south where everyone used to know everyone and their families it was about being polite. How y'all doing is a question about the family not about you personally. Only a Yankee would think it was all about her.
I was born in SD. And now live near Chireno.
What a difference! No more gitchur coooat.
Answer the phooone. It’s coold ooout.
Love it. I also love how daddy is daddy even to strangers. Never my daddy. Just daddy. Daddy loves them buffets a mighty piece.
great find.
Or the , “the weather is so gnarly” comment
“Reckon
People in Texas don’t just think — they “reckon.” This classic Texan slang is used in a variety of ways, such as for making a prediction or guess, or expressing a strongly held belief. For instance, someone might say, “I reckon that it’ll rain later,” or, “I reckon it’ll take a few hours to fix the car,” or even, “I reckon that BBQ is my favorite type of food.””
Lots of people come from Texas and/or adopt their sayings. Perhaps even Paul.
Romans 8:18 (KJV)
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
I’ve known a few people that do. Even “soda pop.”
As a life long southerner I can guarantee that bless your heart is used but sparingly.
Bless your heart for thinking it’s made up.
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