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To: Huck
This may be common knowledge, especially with people as sophisticated and intelligent as FReepers, but the word Texas comes from the Mexican word Tehas, which means friend or friendly. Being a Texan (transplanted to the People's Republic of Minnesota) that's the first thing we little cowboys and cowgirls learned in school.
302 posted on 11/03/2004 2:54:09 PM PST by timydnuc (I'll die on my feet before I'll live on my knees.)
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To: timydnuc
" but the word Texas comes from the Mexican word Tehas,"

Close.

The original name came from the Spaniards under Coronado's leadership.
As they traveled across what is now Texas, they encountered a band of Caddoan Indians in the Panhandle. These were of the Hasinai tribe, but the Spaniards called them "Tejas" from the Caddoan word, Teychas, meaning, "allies", or, "friends".
This word was spelled "Texas" often in old Spanish in which the "x" was substituted for the "j" sound.

Now, these Caddoan Indians were friendly to their own people and to those whom they couldn't conquer, but they were just as vicious to strangers as any other Indian tribe of that day. Their livelihood depended on their hunting grounds being protected.
We have a little misunderstanding about our state's name meaning friendly.
It only means friendly if we choose to be friendly.

339 posted on 11/03/2004 3:27:58 PM PST by TexasCowboy (COB1)
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