I was born and raised in the Lone Star State, so you’d think
I’d be an expert on all things Texan. However, it's been a while since I’ve lived there. How
To Be Texan, by Michael Hicks, spurred memories of facts and funnies from
the land of my birth and has been most helpful in my writing.
Here are a few highlights.
Y’ALL
This useful contraction is covered on the very first page of
the book. “The word is actually a slurring of ‘you’ and ‘all,’…” The plural is all
y’all. I’ve heard that other areas of the country have similar terms – youse guys,
for example.
CUISINES
A truly great chicken-fried steak is “…fork-tender,
lightly breaded, crisply fried, and covered with Mom’s good cream gravy.” Every
time I go back to Texas, I have chicken fried steak with a side of fried okra
at least once.
“True Texas BBQ is easily distinguished by the
mesquite flavoring.” This dish's name can be written several ways - Bar-B-Q or barbeque or BBQ - and
it tastes delicious no matter how you spell it (especially with a side of
potato salad and/or cole slaw).
There’s a whole separate chapter on Tex-Mex food,
including instructions for making Frito pie. “…the original was made by taking
a small package of Fritos, splitting it open at the top and pouring a ladle
full of steaming hot chili inside. Fresh diced onions are then sprinkled on the
chili and a layer of grated cheese is melted on top.” The bag acts as the
serving dish.
FASHION
“While a lot of cowboy hats are still worn in Texas, the
most official day-to-day-wear has to be the gimme cap.” I’ve heard these
referred to as baseball caps in other areas of the country; however, in Texas “…when
you say ‘Gimme one of them caps,’ you get one.” They are folded in thirds
(there’s a technique to this) so they’ll slip easily into the back pocket of
your jeans.
CRITTERS
Horny Toad – I played with these little critters in the
sandbox in my parents’ backyard in Dallas. I understand the Texas Horned Lizard
is now the official reptile of Texas.
Armadillo – “Unfortunately, the only place many urban
Texans ever see the armadillo is flat on the highway.” These strange-looking animals migrated up to Texas from Mexico and decided to stay.
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| Photo source via Wikipedia from: http://www.birdphotos.com/ |
OIL
The book includes a brief glossary of oilfield terms, including:
Blowout – “A gusher in the old days, a headache today.”
Wildcatter – “Now called an ‘independent’…” J. R. Ewing of “Dallas”
fame was a wildcatter. I worked for a wildcatter for several years—an unforgettable
experience.
How To Be Texan also features chapters on ranches (the King Ranch in South Texas, as well as the Chicken Ranch -- the inspiration for the Broadway hit The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), fishing, boots, vehicles, hats, and other important subjects. I'll loan you my copy if you need more information because, unfortunately, the book is out of print.
PS: Both my books are set in North Texas.
I.O.U. Sex (co-authored with Sandra Allen)
