Texas has no shortage of made-up contractions and colloquial phrases. Let’s not beat around the bush, there are actually more than you can shake a stick at.
For others, it may seem like a different language, but for us, it’s nothing new.
If you’re a California transplant, or maybe even just visiting but don’t want to seem like an outsider, dive into our guide to Texas and Southerner slang and discover the charm and character behind these expressions.
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It looks weird in text, but it is a contraction of four words and is a common way to quickly ask someone, “Did you eat yet?”
It’s possible that it may just be shortened to “jeet?” or “j’alleat?” for multiple people.
This phrase is used to emphasize something to a great degree, like “very” or “extremely.” For example, “It’s hot as all get out” means it’s extremely hot.
No, we’re not talking about the baking ingredient. In the South, “sugar” is a metaphor for kisses. Sugar could also be used as a term of endearment.
Nothing is broken. It translates to “about to” do something. So, if someone says they’re “fixin’ to go to the pool,” fret not — no maintenance is needed. They’re just about to take a nice swim and are likely about to extend an invite.
This refers to someone who talks big but doesn’t have much to back it up. It’s also synonymous with “all bark, not bite.”
Whatever you may do, do not say, “You, too!” This is often used in a patronizing way if someone thinks you’ve done or said something dumb, inappropriate, or mean.
If someone asks for a Coke, do not bring them a Coca-Cola, because there’s a good chance that’s not what they actually want. Coke refers to any soft drink, so ask for clarification.
Here’s an example: “Get me a Coke while you’re out!” “What d’ya want?” “Dr Pepper, please!”
Texans are always adding “the” unnecessarily. For example, The Academy, The Walmart, The HEB, The Home Depot. Just ignore and move on.
It’s not a semi-truck or trailer-truck. It’s an 18-wheeler, folks.
If someone asks you to pick up something from the General Dollar for you, don’t try to search the store on your map; they mean Dollar General.
For some odd reason, many Texans cannot simply say, “Walmart,” so it translates to Walmark or Walmarts.
Only when you’re in the town of West, Texas (not to be confused with the region of West Texas) is a kolache actually the traditional fruit-filled pastry that many would expect. In Texas, kolache means pig-in-a-blanket or sausage roll.
A shortened phrase for mosquito.
If someone asks for something from the icebox, head to the refrigerator — or “frigerator,” because that’s what they mean.
This phrase describes someone who is robust and strong, often implying they are healthy and hearty, like farm-raised livestock.
Shortened for “another” and often used with the word “whole” in front of it. For example, “that’s a whole ‘nuther set’a issues.”
Have other terms or phrases to share? Feel free to message BAddison@gannett.com!
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas slang and phrases: How y’all can talk like a Texan
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