Only True Natives of the Lone Star State Can Pass This Texas Lingo Quiz!



By: Heather Cahill

6 Min Quiz

Image: Joey Celis/ Moment/ Getty Images

About This Quiz

Howdy, y'all! Ain't no better time to brush up on your Texas lingo than the present. The Lone Star state is full of personality, and much of it is shown through the lingo that is used. One trip there will have you learnin' all types of new words and phrases that you never knew existed! Do you think you can talk like a true Texan?

Many folks have a way with words, and you can say the same about those who live in Texas. Since the state's beginnings as their own country, the lingo has developed into the words and phrases you hear there today. You'll find that many Texans have an accent that, in turn, gives their words an interesting flair. It may be a "wing" to you, but in this state, it's a "wang!" If you've got the accent mastered, then you're not far from being completely fluent in the slang. Learning a few Texas terms will have you sounding like you live there rather than being a tourist.

Hey y'all, ain't it time to get down to business? Get yourself ready and answer all of these questions right quick. There are more than you can shake a stick at!

Can you pick the word that a Texan might use to describe something large?

Everything's bigger in Texas as they say, so it's no wonder that they have a word that involves this! A Texan might say, "That's a big'o burger," meaning that the burger is pretty big. It's simple, but definitely effective.


While it's probably not relatable to your car, if you're "fixin'" for something, what does it mean?

If a Texan is "fixin'" for something, then you know they're getting ready to do it. One might say they're "fixin' to watch the football game," or "fixin' to go to work." When they say this, they'll be sure to do it soon!


Do you know which word folks in Texas use to tell someone else to leave?

In Texas, pronunciation is usually much different. So instead of telling someone to "get out," a Texan would most likely tell them to "git out." It's a Texasism that is pretty common to hear when you're in the state.


If there is a group of people or an audience around, Texans might call them which of the following?

It's not uncommon to hear the "folks" used in Texas. If you visit the website for the State Fair of Texas, you'll even find yourself greeted with the phrase, "Howdy, folks, this is Big Tex!" What could be more fitting for this?


In Texas, a synonym for "believe" would be which of the following slang terms?

If a Texan "reckons" that something will happen, you can be sure that it probably will! It can also be used to say that something did happen, like in the sentence, "I reckon that Rebecca did make it home from her trip last week, but we should call anyway."


Can you pick a word that a Texan might use when they have no plans of doing something that you ask them to do?

"I ain't doin' that," is a phrase you might hear a Texan say. The contraction is one of the more common words to hear, and it can be used in countless different ways. Being so versatile, using it will also make you sound like you're from Texas, even if you're not.


Instead of swearing or being impolite, what phrase might someone in this state say?

Keeping in line with Texans often being courteous and polite, it's no wonder that there's a substitute for swear words. "Dad gum it" is something they say when things don't go their way or someone angers them.


Though the people are polite, there are also insults in this state. Do you know what calling someone a clodhopper means?

A "clodhopper" means that the person is a bit clumsy. Did you know that the dictionary meaning for the word is used for a shoe rather than a person? Texans took this word and gave it a new meaning!


When you're getting a "gully washer," it could be bad news. What does that mean?

Texas isn't exactly known for torrential rainfall, but a gully washer is what they call it when there's a whole lot of rain falling. You might hear someone say, "That was one big gully washer we had yesterday."


If a person is really enjoying something, they might say which of the following phrases to show it?

When it's a hoot in Texas, you know that they're having a great time. It can even be used when speaking about a person. "Y'all, Steven is such a hoot. Check him out!" is something you might hear in this state.


When someone is feeling like they're "tuckered out," what does it mean?

While you can hear this term in other places as well, it's a common one when it comes to Texas. After a hard day's work, it's not uncommon to hear a Texan say "I'm tuckered out, folks," when they get back home.


Everyone in Texas is heading out to a "shindig" tonight! Do you know what that might be?

A shindig in Texas is just a fancy way of saying "party." You might find yourself line dancing at a party in this state, but it's not always that way! There's events are held for every type of partier, whether you're a country music fan or pop fan.


The word "whup" may be a small, but it has a big meaning. What is it?

A Texan watching a wrestling match might yell for someone to "whup" someone else. This can be also said as "whupped" in the past tense. There's no doubt that Texas lingo is quite versatile.


How would "persnickety" be used in a sentence in Texas?

"Persnickety" is a Texan's fancy way of saying "snob," or referring to someone as such. Y'all, this descriptor is probably not one to use lightly, but it's an interesting one at that! Texans are usually quite humble, after all.


If a resident of Texas wanted to tell you to "look over there," what would they probably say to you?

You've probably heard this term a time or two, especially if you're watching a Western genre movie. This slang term still exists today with many Texans using it as a descriptor or as a direction. It's one word that you'll want to know if you visit the Lone Star State.


A Texan tells you to do something "right quick." What should you do?

"Right quick" to a Texan means to do it fast, and right away! When used in a sentence, you might hear someone say, "Grab that bucket for me right quick." When you hear this, it's time to get movin', y'all!


You're being too loud and causing a ruckus! What might someone in the Lone Star state say to you?

If you visit Texas, you'll probably notice that most people are very polite. You probably won't hear the words "shut up," if you're being disruptive, but instead, a polite, "hush." It's simple, but effective.


"We're going to visit our kin this weekend" is something you might hear a resident say, but what does "kin" refer to?

The word "family" is usually replaced by "kin" in Texas. You'll often also hear the similar word "kinfolk," which means almost the same thing. If you have kin in Texas, chances are you already knew this one!


If someone has done something before, what might they tell you?

Rodeos are important in Texas, so there's no surprise that they have a term that involves them. If it ain't someone's first rodeo, it means they've done something before, and they're telling you they can handle doing it again.


"I'll run and fetch it," is a phrase you might hear in Texas. What does the word "fetch" mean?

"Fetching" something is probably something that you associate with a dog, but Texans use it as a way to say that they'll grab something. It can also be used in a question when asking another person to grab it instead.


Every place in the world has its own greeting. When a Texan greets you, what might they say to you?

One standard Texas greeting is "Howdy," which you've definitely heard in the movies. Did you know that before it became a greeting in Texas, this word was used in England for the same purpose?


When someone says there's a "blue norther" on its way, what are they saying?

A "blue norther" is slang for a cold front in Texas. While it's usually quite hot in the Lone Star State, cold fronts still happen there as well. Being prepared for one of these is very helpful when you live in Texas.


Someone says they have a "hankering for wings." Do you know what "hankering" means?

If you've got a hankering, you'll want to have whatever it is that is making you feel that way right quick! This is often used in relation to food or drink. communicating that someone really wants to have some. It's kind of like a craving!


You're not literally shaking it, but the phrase "shake a stick at" translates into which of the following?

If you have "more of something than you can shake a stick at," then you definitely have a lot. Did you know that the first appearance of this phrase is from 1818 in a Pennsylvania newspaper? It made its way to the south as well!


Making one word out of two, how might a Texan say "sure thing"?

"Are you going to be riding in the rodeo?" one might ask you. You can respond as a true Texan by saying, "Sure'nuff." It's not uncommon for Texas slang to be shortened versions of the original term. Just look at "y'all!"


When it comes to descriptors again, what term might a Texan use that means "extreme"?

"This movie is as good as all get out" might sound odd to others, but to Texans, it's a term used in appreciation in this case. They're saying that the movie isn't just good, it's really good.


If you did something silly or by accident, what might a Texan say to you in response?

When a Texan says "bless your heart," they're ridiculing you in a way, though in a loving way, of course! It can be said if you've done something clumsy and reaped the consequences, or if you did something funny.


You're working on something and it falls over. What's the Texan word for this?

In place of "dump" or "tip," this word comes along and combines both of them! One phrase that the word would work in is, "John was riding his bicycle and he tumped over on the side of the road."


When you sit down for a bite to eat, what would someone from the Lone Star State serve you?

Vittles is the fancy word for saying "food" in Texas. This word comes from another called "victuals," which has the same meaning. The two words have been used for years, but "vittles" is the one you'll most commonly hear today.


In typical Texas fashion, this is a fun term to use. How might someone say "no matter what" to you?

"Come hell or high water" means that the speaker will get it done no matter what. For people who always hold themselves up to their promises, there's no better phrase to show someone else your true intentions.


Which of the following is another way to say "all talk, no action"?

When someone is like this in Texas, they're described as being "all hat, no cattle." It's not really a good thing for the recipient of the comment, but the phrase itself sticks true to Texas, which is known for its rodeos and cattle drives.


If someone is having an outburst, someone in the Lone Star State might describe it as which of the following?

Rather than using an expletive or words like "temper tantrum," a Texan would use conniption fit, which is a little more polite. It can also be used when someone is experiencing fear and being vocal about it.


When a Texan wants to refer to something as "little," what word might they use?

Instead of using "little," a Texan would say "pidlee'o" to refer to something small or unimportant. If you heard them say it in a sentence, it might sound like this: "John is getting rid of that pidlee'o thing."


Which football position is also a slang word in the Lone Star State?

When telling someone about a story, it's common to hear a Texan say, "And here's the kicker." It can sometimes preface something unbelievable or funny, and other times it can come before disappointing news.


There's no doubt that Texans like to shorten their words, but which of the following is their shorter version of "nothing"?

Shortening the word and making the sound of the "T" more prominent, the word "nuttin'" is what you'll most commonly hear. Used in a sentence, you might hear a Texan say, "I got nuttin' from the insurance company."


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