Monday-Monday What the heck did he say?

Monday-Monday What the heck did she say?

Or…Excuse me, do you speak Texan?

From time to time, people tell me that I speak with an accent! In reality, I secretly think it’s not me who speaks a little left of center. It happened again the other day while I was shopping. The clerk told me I had a lovely accent! I’m not sure I’d call it lovely. Truth be told, every time I hear a recording of my voice I’m surprised. That woman who speaks with a twang can’t be me. Can it?

That got me to thinking. We Texans do use a lot of slang or cliches that can be a little confusing. With that in mind, I turned to my trusty friend Google. I wanted to know just what was out in the universe about Texan ‘speech’. Turns out other folks have been curious about the same thing.

Can you believe that Rice University has a huge list of Texas speak on their site? Really! http://www.rice.edu/armadillo/Texas/t....

 

 

Now I know the definition of the sayings or words below mean, but do you?

Got your tail over the line – you’re angry about something
Beat a dead horse – to refuse to give up on a topic, especially if you’re trying to make a point and you go on and on
Bee in the bonnet – to be angry
Whatever blows your skirt up – whatever makes you happy
Catty whompus – on crooked or out of alignment.
Frog-strangler – heaving rain
Gully washer – heavy rain
Dawgs – feet
Sashay – to twist your hips in an exaggerated manner
Hissy fit – temper trantrum

The sayings below don’t need definitions, I threw them in because my daddy would’ve used these phrases.

“Evil thoughts are like chickens–they come home to roost.”

“You can always tell a Texan, but you can’t tell him much.”

“Tend to your own knittin’/rat killin’.”

“That’s tellin’ him how the cow ate the cabbage.”

“You done stopped preachin’ and gone to meddlin’.”

“You had somethin’ in your mouth; I wouldn’t have in my hand.” (This was a response to anyone who used the word ‘shit’ around my daddy, pardon the curse word)

Writers are taught not to use slang phrases or cliches unless they can put a new spin on them. But in real life and around my house, you’re likely to hear just about anything!

Sunrise in Texas

This will be my last blog until after Christmas and New Year. I sincerely believe there’s nothing more important than family and friends. After last Friday’s tragedy, I think everyone will want to do the same.

I hope you understand my closing shop for this wonderful time of the year. Come back January 7th for more Monday-Mondays and Wednesday Coffee. I appreciate each of you and value your support. Merry Christmas…Happy Holidays…and Happy New Year.

But it’s still Monday!!! You don’t have to be from Texas or the South to know and use slang phrases. Do you know any you’ll share with us?