Here in Texas, we seem to have a language all our own, whether it’s using commonly spoken words in a completely different way, or making up our own phrases altogether. We basically are an independent country, after all, so of course we have a unique lingo here. So everyone who lives outside of Texas, pay attention, because you’ll want to know these words like the back of your hand before you come visit:
- Y’all
Bing Images Obviously, this had to be at the top of the list. I’ve never heard a Texan say “you all;” that’s just not part of our vocabulary. Oh, and we also can’t stand when people spell it “ya’ll.” Luckily us Texans learned the proper way to spell it when we were just young’ns..
- Fixin’ to
texasstartrading.com/Google Images Actually, it’s more like “fixin’ tuh,” wouldn’t you agree? We are never about to do something, or going to do something, we’re always fixin’ to do something. Period.
- Howdy!
Chris Walts/Flickr We usually pair this with “y’all” when we say hi to a group of people. I don’t hear too many young people saying it nowadays, so it’s mostly just used by either older people or small town folks. Go to a little Texas town, and I guarantee you’ll get the standard “howdy” greeting.
- Skeeters
JJ Harrison/Wikipedia This is how we refer to mosquitoes; we just like to shorten everything and not sound more formal than we have to.
- Icebox
Phillip Brewer/Flickr Everywhere else, this means a place to store ice, or the freezer. Here, a freezer is a freezer, and an icebox is the part where you DON’T store ice, a.k.a. the fridge. Confused yet?
- Uh Huh
Google Images This is just our way of saying “Yep” or “Yes.” Or, it might mean we’re not really listening and just going along with what you say. Or, it may also mean we’re being sarcastic and secretly don’t agree with a word you say. I hope that clears things up.
- This ain’t my first rodeo.
Kristina D.C. Hoeppner We have a lot of pride here, so if you imply we don’t know how to do something, you’ll probably hear this phrase from us.
- Packing
Pal Joakim Olsen/Flickr Elsewhere, it means getting ready for a trip. Here, it means we’re carrying a firearm or four.
- Ain’t
palnatoke/Wikimedia Ain’t nobody got time to say “aren’t” around here. We also have other variations of the word, like “y’aint” or “ain’tchya.” The first is usually used when making a statement, and the second is usually asking a question. Yep, we like to use ain’t in as many ways as humanly possible here, and we’re proud of it.
- Fast food
Jonesdr77/Wikipedia In other states, this could mean a wide variety of greasy, fried foods served up in a matter of minutes, but here, we just mean our beloved Whataburger.
- Winduh
Rachel Kramer/Flickr Windows are winduhs here. It doesn’t really matter how you spell it; when you say it, a true Texan will totally understand you.
- Come down/come up
Tim Patterson/Flickr If you’re visiting from a different town or state, we will usually tell you to “come down” or “come up” to see us. We really don’t pay attention to the specific directions, we just want you to get the heck over here, wherever you’re coming from. We might not have the best sense of direction, but our southern hospitality and charm totally make up for it.
- Git-R-Done
Google Images In our neck of the woods, this just means to get the job done or complete a task. We just like to put our own Texas spin on an otherwise really boring phrase in the English language.
- “Wangs,” not wings
Steven Guzzardi/Flickr For a lot of words ending in -ing, we say them with -ang instead. So we don’t have things, we have “thangs.” We don’t order a basket of wings, we order “wangs.” At a restaurant, the waiter “brangs” us a beer, not brings. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.
- Dang/dern/darn tootin'!
Google Images This is just our way of saying we agree with you wholeheartedly. We might give you a “hell yeah” sometimes, too, but it all means “yes” essentially. But, yet again, that’s much too bland for us Texans, so we spice it up a bit!
So, did I forget any important Texas phrases y’all? Feel free to add your favorites in the comments below or let us know which ones you say most often!
Bing Images
Obviously, this had to be at the top of the list. I’ve never heard a Texan say “you all;” that’s just not part of our vocabulary. Oh, and we also can’t stand when people spell it “ya’ll.” Luckily us Texans learned the proper way to spell it when we were just young’ns..
texasstartrading.com/Google Images
Actually, it’s more like “fixin’ tuh,” wouldn’t you agree? We are never about to do something, or going to do something, we’re always fixin’ to do something. Period.
Chris Walts/Flickr
We usually pair this with “y’all” when we say hi to a group of people. I don’t hear too many young people saying it nowadays, so it’s mostly just used by either older people or small town folks. Go to a little Texas town, and I guarantee you’ll get the standard “howdy” greeting.
JJ Harrison/Wikipedia
This is how we refer to mosquitoes; we just like to shorten everything and not sound more formal than we have to.
Phillip Brewer/Flickr
Everywhere else, this means a place to store ice, or the freezer. Here, a freezer is a freezer, and an icebox is the part where you DON’T store ice, a.k.a. the fridge. Confused yet?
Google Images
This is just our way of saying “Yep” or “Yes.” Or, it might mean we’re not really listening and just going along with what you say. Or, it may also mean we’re being sarcastic and secretly don’t agree with a word you say. I hope that clears things up.
Kristina D.C. Hoeppner
We have a lot of pride here, so if you imply we don’t know how to do something, you’ll probably hear this phrase from us.
Pal Joakim Olsen/Flickr
Elsewhere, it means getting ready for a trip. Here, it means we’re carrying a firearm or four.
palnatoke/Wikimedia
Ain’t nobody got time to say “aren’t” around here. We also have other variations of the word, like “y’aint” or “ain’tchya.” The first is usually used when making a statement, and the second is usually asking a question. Yep, we like to use ain’t in as many ways as humanly possible here, and we’re proud of it.
Jonesdr77/Wikipedia
In other states, this could mean a wide variety of greasy, fried foods served up in a matter of minutes, but here, we just mean our beloved Whataburger.
Rachel Kramer/Flickr
Windows are winduhs here. It doesn’t really matter how you spell it; when you say it, a true Texan will totally understand you.
Tim Patterson/Flickr
If you’re visiting from a different town or state, we will usually tell you to “come down” or “come up” to see us. We really don’t pay attention to the specific directions, we just want you to get the heck over here, wherever you’re coming from. We might not have the best sense of direction, but our southern hospitality and charm totally make up for it.
In our neck of the woods, this just means to get the job done or complete a task. We just like to put our own Texas spin on an otherwise really boring phrase in the English language.
Steven Guzzardi/Flickr
For a lot of words ending in -ing, we say them with -ang instead. So we don’t have things, we have “thangs.” We don’t order a basket of wings, we order “wangs.” At a restaurant, the waiter “brangs” us a beer, not brings. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.
This is just our way of saying we agree with you wholeheartedly. We might give you a “hell yeah” sometimes, too, but it all means “yes” essentially. But, yet again, that’s much too bland for us Texans, so we spice it up a bit!
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