Texas Lingo (Devine: school, vs., to eat)

[lonestar2007]

We all have our favorite sayings, those old time expressions we grew up hearing from our parents and grandparents and unique words we use that although might not be solely confined to Texas, they are clearly common Texan talk. Reb’s thread Y’all or You Guys is responsible for this thread as I realized there are so many of these expressions we use on a daily basis, yet just think how many we have forgotten over the years. There are sayings that are more common in one area of Texas than another, expressions that are familiar to some, yet others have never heard used before. The unique thing about these expressions are the true meanings they hold, which in some cases, is quite evident, but in other instances you have to think about it. Some expressions have twofold meanings such as the hittin’ high cotton, which means coming into wealth or picking up speed. To wit, high cotton means a bumper crop, more revenue, but also means when harvesting (back in the day), the workers could pull more bolls in less time, hence the speed. I know when we were kids and would pull bolls in the late summer before school started, I loved those fields with the taller cotton plants vs. the short scrawny ones, more bolls, faster time.

OK, to start things off, here’s a saying I grew up with and still use all the time….Useless as teats on a boar hog. Y’all feel free to throw in a good dose of our unique Texan talk when contributing to this thread, we’ll all enjoy the memories and that certain ‘kinship’ we all share as fellow Texans.

[Diamond Dee]

Just between you me and the fencepost.(keeping secrets)

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by lonestar2007

We all have our favorite sayings, those old time expressions we grew up hearing from our parents and grandparents and unique words we use that although might not be solely confined to Texas, they are clearly common Texan talk. Reb’s thread Y’all or You Guys is responsible for this thread as I realized there are so many of these expressions we use on a daily basis, yet just think how many we have forgotten over the years. There are sayings that are more common in one area of Texas than another, expressions that are familiar to some, yet others have never heard used before. The unique thing about these expressions are the true meanings they hold, which in some cases, is quite evident, but in other instances you have to think about it. Some expressions have twofold meanings such as the hittin’ high cotton, which means coming into wealth or picking up speed. To wit, high cotton means a bumper crop, more revenue, but also means when harvesting (back in the day), the workers could pull more bolls in less time, hence the speed. I know when we were kids and would pull bolls in the late summer before school started, I loved those fields with the taller cotton plants vs. the short scrawny ones, more bolls, faster time.

OK, to start things off, here’s a saying I grew up with and still use all the time….Useless as teats on a boar hog. Y’all feel free to throw in a good dose of our unique Texan talk when contributing to this thread, we’ll all enjoy the memories and that certain ‘kinship’ we all share as fellow Texans.

LOVE IT, LS! In fact, sometime last year we did do a similar thread on this 'un.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/texas...translate.html

But by damn and yep, high cotton and catfish, I like when we resurect a topic that newcomers may not have seen, and that we can all revisit and contribute to! So thanks much for doing so!

Hmmmm. Let's see. as a starter, and as you say, the "cotton" metaphor/analogy/simile is about the most well-entrenched I can think of...and which brings up great memories. Keep yer cotton-pickin' hands off (this or that). The evolution of the term obviously being the said fingers were not "fittin" yet to eat the said item or touch the product! LOL

Generally, it was used in an exasperatedly, affectionate, way, since just about all concerned picked the cotton!

While I am thinking more on this great topic, I will just mention "Bless yer heart"...*smiles*

[GoingHome2TX]

As I said in the other thread, "Well, I'll be. Pull a plank off the house! We've got company!"

Also, "Iffin' it was a rattler, youduhbeen bit!" or "Good thing that wasn't a rattler!" (In regard to someone not seeing something right under their nose.)

[TexasGirl@Heart]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

I will just mention "Bless yer heart"...*smiles*

I used that one just recently in a thread...in the y'all or you guys thread

[lonestar2007]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

LOVE IT, LS! In fact, sometime last year we did do a similar thread on this 'un.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/texas...translate.html

But by damn and yep, high cotton and catfish, I like when we resurect a topic that newcomers may not have seen, and that we can all revisit and contribute to! So thanks much for doing so!

Hmmmm. Let's see. as a starter, and as you say, the "cotton" metaphor/analogy/simile is about the most well-entrenched I can think of...and which brings up great memories. Keep yer cotton-pickin' hands off (this or that). The evolution of the term obviously being the said fingers were not "fittin" yet to eat the said item or touch the product! LOL

Generally, it was used in an exasperatedly, affectionate, way, since just about all concerned picked the cotton!

While I am thinking more on this great topic, I will just mention "Bless yer heart"...*smiles*

UH OH! Dang! You are so right! Now how could I have forgotten this, what with a mind like a steel trap? I must be gettin' dumber than a fencepost! Bless my heart is definitely called for!

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Texanwannabe

I used that one just recently in a thread...in the y'all or you guys thread

You did, "sure nuff", hon!

Cain't wait to contribute more to this great topic, but for the moment, I gotta go eat supper and hit the sack as gotta git up early in the morning.

Meantime, y'all have a good one, and don't let the "hiney pincher" get in yer beds. Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite!

G'night y'all!

[TexaCo Mom]

If ever in a foul mood while visitin' my Grandma in Devine she would say I was "as sour as a brown, bitter pill!"

[Jezer]

Love this thread, thank you.

I don't know if it's Texan, but I love the saying 'Fixin to-----'

[GayleTX]

This is hard country, and those who came and settled it and survived had to be
'tough as a boot.'