Three of the four fastest-growing cities in the U.S. are deep in the heart of Texas, and for good reason: The cuisine's diverse, the weather's warm and delightfully moody, and the live music situation is pretty much ideal.
What's even more appealing than the hill country's idyllic swimming holes, Houston's thriving art scene, or even the state's apparent sense of pride: the way we Texans* talk. Our metaphors are evocative, our expressions convey warmth, and our plural form of "you" is gender neutral (you're welcome, y'all).
In case you're considering a trip to the Lone Star State, here's a guide to the very best Texan phrases:
"I'm madder than a wet hen!"
Translation: "I am very mad!"
Example: "My daughter's peculiar new boyfriend is a vegetarian. He was madder than a wet hen when I served brisket at dinner just to spite him. Ha ha!"
"He's all hat and no cattle."
Translation: "He often speaks highly of himself, but does not follow through with his actions."
Example: "That Barack Obama is all hat and no cattle, which is why I chose not to vote for him in the previous election."
"More than you can shake a stick at."
Translation: "A lot."
Example: "I own more Willie Nelson albums than you can shake a stick at!"
"Ready and rarin' to go."
Translation: "Excitedly ready to go."
Example: "Let's hope the quarterback for the team that I like is ready and rarin' to go for the big game tomorrow!"
"Bless your heart."
Translation: "I feel sorry for you," or "I am going to act as though I feel sorry for you so as to maintain my polite demeanor."
Example: "It is very unfortunate that you are sick tonight, the night of the big Willie Nelson concert. Bless your heart."
"Might could."
Translation: "Could."
Example: "You might could just sell your ticket to me. I am a big fan of Willie Nelson."
"I wouldn't trust him any farther than I could throw him."
Translation: "I wouldn't trust him."
Example: "My boss drives a Mini Cooper, therefore I wouldn't trust him any farther than I could throw him."
"Sure'nuff."
Translation: "Sure enough."
Example: "I drove through the beer barn around midnight, and sure'nuff, they no longer had Shiner in stock."
"Y'all."
Translation: "You all."
Example: "If y'all take Interstate 35 to the Willie Nelson concert this evening, you will likely be stuck in traffic for quite a while."
"If you don't like the weather, wait a minute!"
Translation: "When it rains here, it doesn't for very long."
Example: "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute! We are at a Willie Nelson concert, after all."
"Fixin' to."
Translation: "About to."
Example: "I am fixin' to vote for the Republican candidate."
*While these phrases are used by residents from many Southern states that aren't Texas, it wouldn't be very Texan of us to not claim them for ourselves.
CORRECTION: A former version of this post referred to the expression "ready and rarin' to go" and "rearing and ready to go."