What Makes Texas "Texas": Texas Talk, Famous Slogans & Their Stories

Texas is a stimulating place, full of the off-beat, the intriguing, and so much to pique our curiosity.

Whether you're a native or a new Texan, you may have had a hankering to slow down and smarten up about the Lone Star state. It's important for us to make sure we know just what we are talking about, so we can regale family and friends with the stories behind what some of Texas’ famous slogans really mean.

COME AND TAKE IT

When Texans refused to return the cannon that Mexico had loaned them for protection against Native Americans, it ignited the Battle of Gonzales in 1835, the start of the Texas Revolution against Mexico. Leave it to two young women from Gonzales to get Texas’ strong verbal point across. Caroline Zumwalt and Eveline DeWitt decided to create a flag as a symbol of defiance. The white flag with a black star, a black cannon in its center and the words “Come and take it” flew over the cannon and instigated the Mexican attempt to regain the cannon, using military force.

The original flag was lost in the battle, but replicas can be seen at the Texas State Capitol, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and at Gonzales’ annual Come and Take It festival, where the original cannon is said to also be on display.

It seems now that Gonzales wants to take back “Come and take it.” This motto of Texas’ independence, has been adopted by everyone from fast food chains to all sorts of movements and they are critical of those that utilize it without understanding its true meaning of independence, rebellion, and freedom.

DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS

Who would’ve thought a slogan by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) would be awarded a plaque on Madison Avenue, New York’s Walk of Fame, and the distinction of being named one of the two annual slogans placed in the Advertising Hall of Fame.

It all started when TxDOT realized a campaign to reduce littering was necessary. The phrase, targeted at 18- to 35-year-old males, was prominently displayed on road signs, major highways, and television, radio and print advertisements. Between 1987 and 1990, the campaign was credited for reducing litter on Texas highways by 72 percent.

The book Don’t Mess with Texas: The Story Behind the Legend, tells of how the slogan became identified with Texas swagger and appears on countless tourist souvenirs, even though the phrase is a federally registered trademark.

EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS

Texas is big, only second in size and population to Alaska. Comprising 7.4 percent of the entire United States, its cities are also making headlines as incredibly fast-growing, compared to the rest of the country.

The Texas capitol building is the largest in the country, its San Jacinto monument is larger than the Washington Monument, and its Texas A&M University football stadium is the largest, by capacity, in the Southeastern Conference.

Texans believe bigger is better, especially in relation to Texas pride. Big personalities, big egos, big hats, and big ranches – there’s a feeling of the Old West and its cowboy heritage that still lingers here.

Europeans abroad often ask Americans where they are from. Most respond, "The United States." Except for Texans; they simply say “Texas!”

REMEMBER THE ALAMO

Wanting a republic of their own, instead of Mexican rule, Texians made a courageous stand at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. When a Mexican army of 1,500 stormed the Alamo Mission (now San Antonio), 300 Texians held on for 12 days before they were finally defeated.

Infuriated by the cruelty to its soldiers by Mexico’s General Santa Anna, the Texians regrouped and reunited even stronger. Shouting “Remember the Alamo!” they defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, which ended the Texas Revolution.

Today, the battle cry “Remember the Alamo” is synonymous with strength and honor. The Texas Legislature now owns the old Alamo Mission, one of the most popular tourist sites in Texas, and has made the Alamo chapel an official Texas State Shrine.

Norwegians use the word “Texas” as slang for “Crazy” or “Wild” as in “Did you see the end of the game?! It was totally Texas!” “Det var helt Texas!”