Since moving down to Central Texas from the PNW, we’ve started Talkin’ Texan a little. You know, it can be challenging in a new home to start speaking the language right away!
I’m starting to say y’all a little more and am not as shocked when it’s said ‘all the time’ as I was when we first got here. It wasn’t that it was a negative, it was just so real. Such a Texan Thing! I still revert to ‘you guys’ quite often, especially when I’m around those that are still speaking mostly Northwest. 🙂
Another happy phrase I heard for the first time down here was, “Have a blessed day!” Love that one. I also love “Yes ma’am” with the ma’am drawn out. Emily was the first we heard that from when we were down for our visit the spring we visited and got the build started on our new home. She helped so much with that process and used that phrase regularly to answer most of my questions. It carries respect, love and a little touch of fun to it, don’t ya think?
Texan Phrases to Know
After y’all, there are a few more phrases you would need to incorporate if your goal was to completely assimilate into the culture. Or, if you’re just coming for a visit. I’ll try to add definitions for those that aren’t obvious.
- Coke: any soda or pop (not just Coca Cola)
- Fixin’ to: planning on it
- Howdy: you know this one!
- Don’t mess with Texas: seems self-explanatory, but started in 1985 as part of an anti-littering campaign
- Bless your heart: I feel sorry for you, or I am going to act as though I feel sorry for you so as to maintain my polite demeanor.
- Might Could: could
- More than you can shake a stick at a lot 🙂
- He’s all hat and no cattle: He often speaks highly of himself but does not follow through with his actions.
- This ain’t my first rodeo: you know what you’re doing
- Hissy fit: full-blown temper tantrum (with boot-stompin’!)
So, there you go y’all. Talkin’ Texan 101 is in the books. Now, if you come down here for any amount of time, you’ll be prepared!
The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well…Proverbs 10-11 The Message
Finding a new purpose in living and joy in the day-to-day was the goal when author Kathy Rowland and her entire family (adult kids and grandkids) moved from the PNW to Texas several years ago. The focus of Quiet Hollow is to encourage ‘next chapter women’ – those who are retired, empty-nesters, or have found themselves without a spouse to jump back into life. And, she shares multiple tips, ideas, and possibilities toward that end. Kathy completed her almost 30 years as an elementary teacher and hopped into over a decade of volunteer work, side hustle-type businesses, and grandchild care before discovering her unique and fulfilling purpose for the next chapter of life. What you read on Quiet Hollow is a large part of that calling. Another part is the happy life she’s leading in Central Texas in the same neighborhood as the 3 big kids and her 5 grandkids. She and her college sweetheart husband made sure to add a pool to their new Texas home, so there are lots of noisy, splashy days in their little oasis of a backyard. Come join her on Quiet Hollow in a conversation about finding and living the life you were created to live in this later stage. The chats will be full of laughter, support, faith, and inspiration to create.
?I already have 6 out if 10 in my vocabulary and I’m not even in Texas !
Y’all is one of the best phrases. Picked it up during Navy days in Norfolk, VA. Only 2 I hadn’t heard were #s 6 & 8. Love #8 — he’s all hat and no cattle. Perfect.
Yup, I suppose you heard a few when you were there. I forgot to add the one I love the most…’Yes, ma’am’ Our sales agent at our new development used that a lot with her cute Texas accent. Happy connection 🙂
I imagine you did pick up some of the language 🙂 “Y’all” and “Yes ma’am” are my favorites and definitely add to the culture down here!