Howdy, y’all!
I hope you’re having a fantastic year so far in 2025. We travel across the USA frequently, road tripping in search of delicious food, creative chefs, and unique travel destinations. We wanted to explain what goes into speaking Texan.
Talking Texan involves various elements: syntax, cadence, pronunciation, and vocabulary. The most important thing to remember is that the “g” in the suffix “-ing” is often silent, so “fixing to” is pronounced as “fixin’ to.”
That traditional Texas twang—think Matthew McConaughey’s slow, Southern drawl—is evolving, though. Researchers at UT Austin found that about 80 percent of Texans had a classic Texas accent in the 1980s, but today only about a third of Texans do.
While the unique Texas dialect may be changing, these 10 iconic Texas sayings remain popular. If you’re moving to the DFW area, get ready to hear them regularly!
1. Word – Y’all
“Y’all” is a contraction for “you all,” and it’s the very heart of Texan speak. If you want to address more than one person, it’s never “you guys,” it’s “y’all.” (“All y’all” will also work.)
2. Word – Howdy
In place of hello, say “howdy.” It’s a greeting as Texan as cowboy boots and the Alamo. It’s friendly and casual, and it works quite well with a “y’all” at the end — howdy, y’all!
3. Don’t mess with Texas
You’ve no doubt seen this phrase on everything from T-shirts to belt buckles. It’s been the unofficial slogan of the Lone Star State since 1985. While the rest of the country thinks it’s just a catchphrase, true Texans know it’s part of an
4. Everything’s bigger in Texas
It’s true. Everything is bigger in Texas, from people’s hair to their pickup trucks. Dallas leaves no doubt that it’s a big, bold city — B and G throughout the city. Tourists can stand in between the letters for one big (and cool) photo opp. Which leads to the next famous Texas saying …
5. Bigger’n Dallas
You’d use this expression when you want to say something is immediately noticeable. “Look at him up there bigger’nDallas!”
6. Fixin’ to
This is basically the state verb of Texas. There’s really nothing to fix, though — this Texas saying means that you’re about to do something. Example: “I’m fixin’ to leave.”
7. All git-out
This means to a great degree, exceedingly, or as much as possible. As in: “She was happier’n all git-out!”
8. This ain’t my first rodeo
When you’ve been there and done that, this is the Texas saying you’d use. It means you’re no fool. You know exactlywhat you’re doing.
9. Hissy fit
You don’t want to mess with a Texan who’s throwing a hissy fit. This is an all-out tantrum with hollerin’, feet stompin’ — the works.
10. Coke vs Soda
Texans never ask for a soda, soft drink, or pop. It’s Coke — no matter what kind of carbonated refreshment they want.
What It Means To “Talk Texan”
