Texas-isms

I am in Texas. This is my first time here and I’m specifically SE of Houston, near NASA’s Houston Space Center. You know, the one where the astronaut goes “Houston, we have a problem.” Turns out, I do have a problem. I can’t understand the locals! There are some fun slang terms that I’ve come across and I want to share with you.

Yuntoo: Texas slang for “do you want to?” This is an expression used when you’re piling in the car with your friends to head down to the local Whataburger chain (I haven’t been yet but supposedly it’s maybe similar to In-and-out) and you lean out the window with your cigarette in hand and yell “y’UN-too?” and then your buddy will know its time to be the 8th person to squeeze into the 4 person truck.

Man: This is an appropriate word to add onto the front, middle, or end of any sentence. But you must use it multiple times in order to be effective. And you can use it on men, women, or children. Doesn’t matter. For example, “Man, I ain’t seen you, man, around forever, man.”

Ma’am: This word is, kindly, used for all women. I guess I don’t think of myself as a ma’am but I’ve been called it a bunch and don’t really like it. I think you have to grow up here doing it. BUT it is super cute when the little 5 year old kids at the Fourth of July parade say things like “sorry ma’am.” That is pretty darn adorable.

sure'nuff: Said as one word, this is used to question someone, almost like how we use “really?” Appropriate usage would be “A’in she just done got PREG-nant, man!” to which the listener replies “sure’nuff?”

I’m sure there will be more, fun, lessons where I’ll learn to “tawk like a Texan.” I don’t know if I’ll get down the attitude though. You really need to be from here, love it, feel like Texas is the best place on earth, and feel that Texas should be its own state. As expected, you can see this state-pride in the attitude of the young people who say, “hell yeah I’m a Texan.” HOWEVER, it all became crystal clear to me as, on the 4th, I heard applause after the Star Spangled Banner that sounded like a golf clap when compared to the outrageous whoopin’ and hollerin’ of the public as specially designed texas lone star fireworks were shot off at the professional firework show. They really do it bigger in Texas :)

This Texas tribute is dedicated to Julie Whitebread, the most amazing Texan I know!