If you're not from the great state of Texas, some of the things we say might confuse you a little bit. It's not that we are illiterate, we've just come up with ways to say things that take less time. And, that leaves more time to do the things we really love to do in the Lonestar State.

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These phrases, which are in no particular order, highlight the colorful way we talk in Texas. You might say: "we have more sayings than you could shake a stick at". And, if you don't know what that means, well, you're 'fixin' to learn.

Fixin' To

In Texas, we're always fixin' to do something. The phrase itself just simply means we are about to do something. "Hey y'all, I’m fixin’ to go make a beer run, anybody want anything?” It also means dinner is being made: "Hey y'all, I'm fixin' up some beans and cornbread". What's "y'all"? See below.

 Y'all

What do you get when you combine "you" and "all"? You get "Y'all". It could be one person or 50 people, but everybody in the vicinity of your voice is simply "y'all". "What kind of beer y'all want, I'm fixin to go to the store"

More Than You Can Shake a Stick At

This just simply means we have a lot of something. "We got more Whataburgers than you can shake a stick at". Honestly, I'm not really sure where this term comes from. I mean who shakes a stick at things?

Bless Your Heart

This phrase can be used to show that you feel sorry for someone for whatever reason. But, a ton of Texans use it as a way to "act" like they feel sorry for you but in a polite way. For example: "Aw, y'all are not very smart are ya? Well, bless your heart."

I Wouldn't Trust Them As Far As I Could Throw Them

Have you ever tried to throw someone? More than likely, you're not going to throw them very far unless you're a wrestler. Still, this phrase means there are definitely trust issues. I'll use it in a sentence: "I can't believe they like In-N-Out Burger better than Whataburger. I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them".

Use-Ta-Could

This phrase is used to talk about something that we could do in the past, but now not so much. "Back in my day, I use-ta-could drink a 12-pack of beer and eat 4 Whataburgers in one night and not gain any weight". Showoff.

All Hat and No Cattle

Personally, I've never used this phrase. However, I have heard a ton of Texans use this all the time. The phrase basically describes someone who talks a big game but can never back it up. "There's no way Chaz can dunk a basketball, he's all hat and no cattle". Incidentally, that is a very true statement.

I'm Madder Than a Wet Hen

Apparently, hens get really upset when they're wet. Now, this is another phrase that I don't say but have heard plenty of times. Particularly when I was a kid and I would go stomping through my grandma's vegetable garden. I'd come in the house and she'd tell me she's madder than a wet hen at me. Then she'd say she's fixin to beat my butt.

If You Don't Like The Weather, Just Wait a Minute

In Texas, the weather can change pretty fast. It can literally be 70 degrees one day, and the next day it's snowing. Someone from out of town can say something like "It sure is cold here today". Texan: "Well, If you don't like the weather, just wait a minute. It's really not that far of a stretch.

What Kind of Coke Do You Want

In Texas, every soda known to mankind is simply a "coke". I think this is one phrase that frustrates people from up north the most. Texans get surprised when the waitress comes back with an actual Coke instead of a Dr. Pepper, which is what we really mean when we say we want a coke. I know, it's confusing.

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