Thursday, May 31, 2012
Meat Glue
Just shake your heads, producers. The Foodie Good-Shoes out there have cooked up (pardon the pun) another scheme to scare people away from meat. Meat Glue. Used every day in the meat industry for years. But, since they won a battle with the pink slime deal, this is their logical next step. Here is a link for more information discrediting the Anti-Meat Glue propoganda: Meat Glue is the New Pink Slime
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Wordless Wednesday
Perhaps not entirely appropriate, but an activity not unknown to cattlemen and livesock producers the world over. Although the inter-species twist is rather interesting... What is better than a bacon cheeseburger? TWO BACON CHEESEBURGERS! I had to. I am so sorry.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Texas-isms
"Texas, our Texas, All hail the mighty State. Texas, our Texas So wonderful, so great!" -State Anthem |
The Great State of Texas, as it is known to its
habitants, or Texas, as it is known to everyone else, has many things to be
proud of. It is the largest of the lower 48 states. It was once its own
country, and it has its very own brand of rough, tough, real-stuff,
god-fearing, Yankee-disliking folk. Most are German. Or Czech. It has one of
the best food genres ever created: Tex-Mex. Who doesn't love a good burrito?
It's home to NASA, the American Quarter Horse Association, the Rio Grande, the
Guadalupe Mountains, Live Oaks, Copperheads and Water Moccasins, Scorpions,
Cacti, Texas-sized Rats, Roaches and Rattlers, as well as many a Texas-Shaped
waffle iron. The people are as diverse as the environment, and the state is so
huge that it even has two distinct dialects: A West Texas Drawl and an East
Texas Twang. It has taken a while, but I have finally figured out the
difference and can place a person based on their accent now. It's a skill, believe
me.
Bluebonnets. I think they're weeds, but I would never tell a Texan that. Liable to get hanged, them's fightin' words. |
Being such a large and special state, Texas has
developed its own words and interpretations of words. It's fascinating to have
a conversation with a Texan. All they talk about is Texas and Texas things, and
then they go and put Texas words in there while they're talking about Texas and
Texas things, and before too long the out-of-stater is completely baffled. So,
if any of you will be visiting the Great State of Texas in the near future,
make sure you look out for these words and phrases:
·
Howdy: Do
not be alarmed. This is a friendly greeting all over the state, but it is used
in the most concentration in the areas around College Station, where the Aggies
grow. Return it, wave, or nod to acknowledge their greeting, or they will tag you as a Northerner for sure.
·
Restroom: If
you are a Canadian, never use the word "Washroom". You will promptly be given a
quizzical look and directed to the nearest Laundro-mat. It's a restroom, though
I haven't the slightest idea as to why- I have never used it to rest. Ever.
Snakes. Everywhere. |
·
Fixin': This
is a word used to indicate the intention or current action of an individual.
Rarely is it used in the normal context of, "I am fixin' the sink."
Rather, its most common use is, "I was fixin' to head on out to the
Wal-Mart, if ya need anythin'." Or, "I am fixin' yer dinner,
ya flea-bitten lout, now git off yer butt and git yer own cool beverage!"
·
Might-could:
As odd as this phrase is, it is actually used now and again, especially in a
rural area. It means, "You may be able to..." as in, "I
might-could go dancing tonight, if mah truck will start."
·
Awhalgo or
Whalgo (Ah-Wall-Go or Wall-Go): Literally a brand new conjunction for the
phrase, "A While Ago." This one will get you every time, guys.
Be prepared for it, they all say it, none of them notice it.
I wasn't kidding. These are everywhere, too. |
·
Uh-Huh:
While we northerners prefer real words in affirmation of our recent verbal
outpourings, in Texas a simple "uh-huh"
will suffice. It is quick. It is lazy. It is so easy to fall into, you won't be
here a week before you, too, start saying it with gusto. Proper usage is key, so
make sure you aren't sticking it in every sentence like a madman.
·
Turd-Floater:
A rain so hard that the poops in the pastures float away. It happens.
·
Bless their
Heart: You can say any number of nasty, horrible, gossipy, not-very-nice things
about pretty much anyone so long as you premise it with "Bless their Heart." Useful when
talking to people who are friends with someone you strongly dislike.
·
Y'all:
Perhaps the single most-used conjunction in the entire state, y'all literally
means "You All." Texans use this for everything, from
greetings to threats. They might double up and say "All y'all,"
which means, as you can only imagine, "all
you all." While it makes northerners cringe, it is again one of those
words that can so easily slip into one's vocabulary. I am now a regular
Y'all-er, though to my knowledge I have never said "all y'all," at least not yet.
Well, that
is a crash course in Texanisms. I hope you find it useful and informative.
NOTE: This is NOT a comprehensive list of Texas Talk. I am not liable for any
misunderstandings.
Have a good
day, y'all!
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