Texan Phrases and Sayings


If you are considering a trip to the Lone Star State, the second largest state in the United States by area (after Alaska) and population (after California), here is a guide to some of the popular Texan phrases and sayings:

Every path has some puddles.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
It's better to be a has-been than a never-was.
Never drop your gun to hug a grizzly.
Forgive your enemies. It messes with their heads.
texas sayings image

Never corner something that is meaner than you are.

Some Texan Sayings You Should Know & Their Meanings:

"I'm madder than a wet hen!" Meaning: "I am very mad!"
"More than you can shake a stick at." Meaning: "A lot."
"He is so ugly his mama takes him everywhere she goes so she doesn’t have to kiss him goodbye." Meaning: "Very ugly."
"So hot the hens are laying hard-boiled eggs." Meaning: "Very hot."
"He’s all hat and no cattle." Meaning: "He speaks highly of himself, but does not follow through with his actions."
"This ain't my first rodeo." Meaning: "I have done this before."
"He's double backboned." Meaning:"Brave."
"He always draws the best bull." Meaning: "He is lucky."
"She learned to whisper in a sawmill." Meaning: "She is noisy."
"So big he has to sit down in shifts." Meaning: "Very big."
"So tight he squeaks when he walks." Meaning: "Cheap."
"He’s all broth and no beans." Meaning:"Full of oneself."
"She makes a hornet look cuddly." Meaning:"She is mean."
"I got my ox in a ditch." Meaning: "I have a problem."
"Sharp as a mashed potato." Meaning: "Dumb."
"This is hog-killing weather." Meaning: "Cold weather."
"Her phone’s off the hook." Meaning: "She is crazy."
"Loose as ashes in the wind." Meaning: "Immoral."
"Do wut?" Meaning: "Excuse me?"
"Not worth spit." Meaning: "Useless."
"Bowed up" Meaning: "Very angry."
"He could find a whisper in a whirlwind." Meaning: "He has a lot of experience."
"So poor their Sunday supper is fried water." Meaning: "Very poor."
"It's time to heat up the bricks." Meaning: "It's time to say goodbye."
"Don't worry about bitin' off more'n you can chew; your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger'n you think."

~ Texas Proverb

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