George Dubya's Guide to Cowboy Colloquialisms
The White House has a new team and a whole new language. George W. Bush brought with him many friends from Texas, and for anyone not born in the Lone Star State, the Texan accent and the cowboy colloquialisms can seem a bit strange. Here is a guide to a few of the more colorful expressions: The engine's runnin' but ain't nobody driving. (Not overly-intelligent.) As welcome as a skunk at a lawn party. (self-explanatory) Tighter than bark on a tree. (Not very generous) Big hat, no cattle. (All talk and no action) He thinks the sun come up just to hear him crow. (He has a pretty high opinion of himself.) She's got tongue enough for 10 rows of teeth. (That woman can talk.) It's so dry the trees are bribin' the dogs. (We really could use a little rain around here.) This ain't my first rodeo. (I've done been around awhile.) He looks like the dog's been keepin' him under the porch. (Not the most handsome of men.) They ate supper before they said grace. (Living in sin.) You can put your boots in the oven, but that don't make 'em biscuits. (You can say whatever you want about something, but that doesn't change what it is.)
Originally published November 14, 2002.
