You know it is “that time of year” when Christmas music begins playing on the radio and in stores. With the Christmas season creeping slightly earlier and earlier each year, or so it seems, the merry tunes can lose their novelty by the time the big day rolls around! To put some jingly spirit back into the classic tunes that underscore the holiday season, enjoy some lesser-known stories behind the songs.

Many idioms and colorful expressions are often credited to the South, and Texas is no exception. However, many of these colloquialisms stem from much older parables, proverbs, history, literature, or simply the facts of everyday life. But, add a good ol' Texan accent, and each adage sounds more Southern than the next. Many of these phrases reference animals, not surprising as the South, and particularly Texas, is largely agricultural. If not native to the Lone Star State, learn these down-home phrases and let the fun begin.

From the symbolic colors and honorable lone star, to the history behind the idea, there is much to learn and respect about our flag!

In a state as big as Texas it is really not surprising that there are some mighty peculiar town names among the thousands of communities that make up this state! What is surprising however, are the mundane reasons for many of the odd-sounding choices. Of course there are also some very strange reasons for some very strange names!    

What do Muleshoe, Salty, Bobo, Noodle, and Lazbuddie have in common? They are all peculiar names of towns around the state!  The reasons for the unusual appellations are sometimes simple, sometimes obscure, but usually explainable. Each town was once a thriving community that picked their name to reflect monumental qualities for which they were once known!  Here are explanations for the unusual names of ten towns that you might have come across in your travels.

If you have ever taken a road trip through Texas, you are sure to have noticed that some towns that have very peculiar names. Many honor people, perhaps founders, sweethearts, or heroes.  Other town names seem to describe the surrounding terrain or perhaps a whimsical landmark.

What is in a name? As The Bard once wrote, “that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet!”  Well perhaps, but what about a town named Hogeye, Raisin, or Loco?

If you have ever driven through some of the back roads in Texas, you know that there are also many inexplicably strange town names. Why would anyone name a town Frognot, Bug Tussle, or Oatmeal? What about Ding Dong, Dime Box, or Hoot and Holler? Ah, as Shakespeare once wrote, “therein hangs a tale!”

Some symbols immediately conjure up thoughts of the Lone Star State, like the longhorn, bluebonnets, or cowboy boots. However, onions, pumpkins, and lizards do not! Surprisingly, all of these choices, and dozens more, have been adopted by the State Legislature as official symbols of Texas.