While every corner of the world may claim its own dialect, Texas goes big toward its own communication style. People from other parts of the country have probably heard many typical Texan phrases, while some slang is purely local. Here’s a beginner’s guide for any recent transplants trying to acclimate to the language of the Lone Star State.
Howdy — A less fancy way of saying, “How do you do?” the greeting, Howdy! is even the official greeting of Texas A&M University, the state’s largest university with about 70,000 students. Howdy is often followed by the word, y’all, which leads us to …
Y’all — A contraction that means just what it clearly says: You all. Y’all can address two or more people, but a very large group (or multiple groups) requires a pluralized plural. That’s where all y’all comes in. (Yes, Texans know that means “all you all,” but groups can be really, really big here, so we don’t consider it redundant.)
Fixin’ta — Although foreigners might think you’re about to repair something when hearing this phrase, it actually just means you are about to do something. Whatever you’re about to do, however, never ever say it with a g. Fixing still means repairing something, even in Texas.
Ain’t — A contraction meaning: I am not, I have not, he/she has not, we are not and that is not. Certainly not exclusive to Texas, but common for natives who ain’t fixin’ta use more syllables than absolutely necessary. Used in a Texas sentence: “This ain’t my first rodeo!” (meaning I’ve actually done this before/I’m not new to this). Further abbreviations include y’aint (y’all are not) and aintcha (aren’t y’all?).
Git — Because get is just plain uppity, Texans slip git into all kinds of phrases: Git-r-done (meaning to accomplish something); all git-out (meaning very or extremely); or git-to-gittin’ (meaning to get started). For example, a warning between siblings about chores: “You bes’ git-r-done before Pa gits-to-gittin’ home or he’ll be mad as all git-out.” As those examples suggest, individual words are often partnered with other phrases for emphasis in Texas. Here are some common phrases one might use to show they are Texan through and through.
Bless your heart — While this one can be sincerely stated in regard to something bad happening to someone else: “Your horse got loose? Bless your heart!” it can just as easily be meant sarcastically: “You think you know what you’re doin’? Bless your heart.”
Dadgumit! — A Texan’s way to curse around children, suitable for use wherever a swear word is intended. Derived from darn it or dang it, dadgumit works well in conjunction with shoot fire and son of a gun!
Don’t have a cow! — While lots of Texas-centric language actually has roots in other places, this phrase is originally attributed to a Denton, Texas, newspaper, where a writer quoted a subject saying someone would “have a cow” if they knew about something unacceptable he had done. When telling someone, “Don’t have a cow!” you’re telling them not to overreact. Similar cattle-themed sayings include: Till the cows come home (meaning for a long, long time); and Take the bull by the horns, encouraging someone to tackle something head on. And, let’s not forget …
All hat, no cattle — Every state probably has its own version of Texas’ slang for someone who considers themself important without reason. Perhaps a derogatory reference to city-folk imitating the fashion of actual cowboys, it can also describe a person who is all talk but little action. “That politician never keeps his promises. He’s all hat, no cattle.” While many other words and phrases are commonly associated with Texas, the state’s unofficial motto may be the most famous of all …
Don’t mess with Texas. Launched in 1986 as an anti-littering slogan, it is widely accepted as a reminder of a Texan’s toughness and a warning for anyone who might forget. Portraying former President George W. Bush on TV’s Saturday Night Live, actor Will Ferrell reminded 9-11 terrorists they should not have messed with Texas. Further proving how iconic the reference had become, it is also listed in the Advertising Hall of Fame. Ironically, the official motto of Texas is just one word: Friendship. Tejas was the Spanish pronunciation of teyshas or thecas, the Caddoan word for ally. So, while Texan talk may be full of swagger, it tries to keep that motto in mind … as long as you don’t make a mess while you’re here.
Sources:
1. https://bigseventravel.com/texas-slang/.
2. http://wheretexasbecametexas.org/texas-state-moto-friendship/.
3. https://blog.tmlirp.org/dont-mess-with-texas-the-story-behind-the-slogan.
4. https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/why-we-say-all-hat-no-cattle-or-call-shotgun-when-we-go-for-a-ride/.
Written by Angel Morris
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