umsami Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 http://www.salon.com/2015/10/21/texas_has_gotten_this_bad_norwegians_now_use_the_states_name_as_slang_for_crazy_partner/ OK, I'm offended. I'm from Florida. We're way crazier than Texas. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 I'm offended because I live in Texas and I don't have a horse. Or a cowboy. Where are my horse and cowboy? Actually, a month or so ago I was going into a convenience store and this guy in full cowboy gear held the door for me, tipped his hat, and said, "Howdy, ma'am." It like made my life. I guess that was my cowboy. He was the only one I've seen since I moved here two years ago. ETA: That article didn't give nearly as much information as one I read yesterday. Apparently the use of the term texas in Norway meaning crazy originated as far back as the 70s. It isn't new. It is from the depiction of Texas in wild west movies. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CT Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 I can't hit "like." I'm afraid of how Violet Crown might retaliate..... :leaving: 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Actually, a month or so ago I was going into a convenience store and this guy in full cowboy gear held the door for me, tipped his hat, and said, "Howdy, ma'am." It like made my life. I guess that was my cowboy. He was the only one I've seen since I moved here two years ago. I went to Dallas in the '90s because my dad was working there. I saw a fair number of businessmen in the downtown area wearing suits w/ cowboy boots & cowboy hats. JR wannabees maybe? (ETA: <----- ;) . This statement is a joke. I made a joke because I thought the whole point of this thread was something joke-y. I do not actually think that businessmen who wear some cowboy attire are only wanting to be like JR.) 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 I'm offended because I live in Texas and I don't have a horse. Or a cowboy. Where are my horse and cowboy? Actually, a month or so ago I was going into a convenience store and this guy in full cowboy gear held the door for me, tipped his hat, and said, "Howdy, ma'am." It like made my life. I guess that was my cowboy. He was the only one I've seen since I moved here two years ago. ETA: That article didn't give nearly as much information as one I read yesterday. Apparently the use of the term texas in Norway meaning crazy originated as far back as the 70s. It isn't new. It is from the depiction of Texas in wild west movies. They are in hiding. But your lament that you don't have a cowboy reminded me of this song. Where have all the Cowboys gone. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=94qGpJvLCkU 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Maybe they mean to say "taxes" because their taxes are crazy. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 There was also a song called "Bye Bye Mon Cowboy" by a French Canadian artist Mitsou that I remember. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 When I was in Norway 3 years ago, my bus passed a pick-up truck with 2 bumper stickers on it: "Johnny Cash is a friend of mine" and "Don't mess with Texas". It was so comforting to see a bit of Texas so far from home! (As to the usage in Norway, I just don't care.) 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 When I lived in TX it was fairly common to see men in cowboy hats and boots. But then I lived in west TX, just 2 streets over from a cattle ranch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 I bet that started with some Texas oil patch transplant and way too much Absolut... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 I went to Dallas in the '90s because my dad was working there. I saw a fair number of businessmen in the downtown area wearing suits w/ cowboy boots & cowboy hats. JR wannabees maybe? It is a very common thing to see businessmen dressed like that in Texas, has nothing to do with JR. Lots of people wear cowboy boots here, some with spurs, and cowboy hats too. There are true gentlemen here and I am certainly going to miss it. Yes, Butter, they call me ma'am too, tip of the hat. It is truly "a whole other country."​ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 I went to Dallas in the '90s because my dad was working there. I saw a fair number of businessmen in the downtown area wearing suits w/ cowboy boots & cowboy hats. JR wannabees maybe? Not likely. Most cowboys ARE businessmen. That's why meat and potatoes are not free. Farmers are businessmen too. Running a ranch or farm is BUSINESS. Long hours, hard work, dangerous, and more fickle than Wall Street business. Also, it's a business that doesn't pay well, so most cowboys fund it by working "real" jobs. I am aware of a professor, a meteorologist, a dentist, an engineer, a former marine, who are all also technically "Cowboys". Just sayin' 😊 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 I know that they were real businessmen. I also realize that ranching is a real business. I was kidding, but I guess that didn't come across. I partially made the JR comment because I saw Southfork while I was there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Texas??? I imagine if I were to go to school and ask which state is synonymous with crazy the winner would be California. :lol: Maybe that's due to living rural. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Maybe they mean to say "taxes" because their taxes are crazy. It looks as if their tax rate is around 28% for those on average incomes, plus 8% for social security (which may include health premiums, I'm not sure). So not too bad. Norway has enormous national wealth due to management of oil revenues. http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/taxes/income-taxes-abroad/norway/index_en.htm 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 My friend and I beat the Norwegians by a decade. She moved to Texas from the Midwest, and whenever the state would do something ludicrous, she would tell me, "It's Texas down here." 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 I've seen plenty of people in suits with cowboy hats and cowboy boots. I'm talking boots with spurs, nice jeans, belt with gigantic buckle, plaid button up collared shirt, bolo tie, and cowboy hat. The whole nine yards. It was awesome. I live in San Antonio. I am sure I'd see a lot more people dressed like that if I did not live in a city. Or if I went to the rodeo. People look at me like I am crazy when I say I haven't been to the Rodeo yet. Or Fiesta. I just don't like crowds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Here's the better article: http://www.someecards.com/news/so-that-happened/norway-texas-slang/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 It looks as if their tax rate is around 28% for those on average incomes, plus 8% for social security (which may include health premiums, I'm not sure). So not too bad. Norway has enormous national wealth due to management of oil revenues. http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/taxes/income-taxes-abroad/norway/index_en.htm They also have a high VAT - 25%. I think it's less on food items, but food there is already very expensive. Beautiful country to visit but not a cheap trip! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 When I was in Norway 3 years ago, my bus passed a pick-up truck with 2 bumper stickers on it: "Johnny Cash is a friend of mine" and "Don't mess with Texas". It was so comforting to see a bit of Texas so far from home! (As to the usage in Norway, I just don't care.) The Norwegian slang gives that "Don't mess with Texas" bumper sticker a whole new and hilarious connotation, though! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Not likely. Most cowboys ARE businessmen. That's why meat and potatoes are not free. Farmers are businessmen too. Running a ranch or farm is BUSINESS. Long hours, hard work, dangerous, and more fickle than Wall Street business. Also, it's a business that doesn't pay well, so most cowboys fund it by working "real" jobs. I am aware of a professor, a meteorologist, a dentist, an engineer, a former marine, who are all also technically "Cowboys". Just sayin' 😊 At the same time, you can't deny that there are plenty of urban Texans who wear cowboy boots and hats and jeans with their sport coats as an affectation, without ever getting anywhere near a a cow or steer unless it's already on a plate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 The Norwegian slang gives that "Don't mess with Texas" bumper sticker a whole new and hilarious connotation, though! Please explain. (Do I want you to explain?) Don't mess with Texas started as an anti-littering campaign back in the 80s. Well, it IS an anti-littering campaign still but no one thinks of it that way. Apparently TXDoT is pretty strict about making sure the trademarked phrase isn't used in unauthorized ways. http://www.dontmesswithtexas.org/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Please explain. (Do I want you to explain?) Don't mess with Texas started as an anti-littering campaign back in the 80s. Well, it IS an anti-littering campaign still but no one thinks of it that way. Apparently TXDoT is pretty strict about making sure the trademarked phrase isn't used in unauthorized ways. http://www.dontmesswithtexas.org/ If one uses "texas" to reference a crazy situation, then the bumper sticker is basically saying "don't mess with crazy." TXDoT take their own marketing too seriously. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 At the same time, you can't deny that there are plenty of urban Texans who wear cowboy boots and hats and jeans with their sport coats as an affectation, without ever getting anywhere near a a cow or steer unless it's already on a plate. Sure. Same as I see folks affecting the hippy or rock band look even though they can't play an instrument and don't even have a house plant. Or the current trend of women dressing like Hans solo even though they aren't Star Wars fans and have never fought a space war. Fashion is situational or cultural and often makes no sense to others. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Or the current trend of women dressing like Hans solo Wow ... I totally missed that one. Is that really a "thing"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Wow ... I totally missed that one. Is that really a "thing"? Yep. Has been for a couple seasons now too. The high boots, tight jeans, long shirt, vest. http://duckduckgrayduck.com/2015/09/22/hans-solo-season-has-begun/ 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Yep. Has been for a couple seasons now too. The high boots, tight jeans, long shirt, vest. http://duckduckgrayduck.com/2015/09/22/hans-solo-season-has-begun/ That just looks like what British posh girls wear. It's the 'I'd so much rather be at a polo match' look. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 It looks as if their tax rate is around 28% for those on average incomes, plus 8% for social security (which may include health premiums, I'm not sure). So not too bad. Norway has enormous national wealth due to management of oil revenues. http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/taxes/income-taxes-abroad/norway/index_en.htm I was being silly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 lol kids these days. On fleek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 This is so funny. It's funny that they are using it because of the cowboy connotation, but many of us in the US think of it for other reasons. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 http://www.salon.com/2015/10/21/texas_has_gotten_this_bad_norwegians_now_use_the_states_name_as_slang_for_crazy_partner/ OK, I'm offended. I'm from Florida. We're way crazier than Texas. Now that really made me laugh out loud. Every blessing to you, Umsami. Re: Han Solo season, what the heck are we supposed to wear with our jeans and shirts besides boots and vests? Everyone has been wearing that for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Yep. Has been for a couple seasons now too. The high boots, tight jeans, long shirt, vest. http://duckduckgrayduck.com/2015/09/22/hans-solo-season-has-begun/ That's hilarious! They DO look like Han Solo! Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CT Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 ...Or the current trend of women dressing like Hans solo even though they aren't Star Wars fans and have never fought a space war. ... Wow ... I totally missed that one. Is that really a "thing"? Yep. Has been for a couple seasons now too. The high boots, tight jeans, long shirt, vest. http://duckduckgrayduck.com/2015/09/22/hans-solo-season-has-begun/ That just looks like what British posh girls wear. It's the 'I'd so much rather be at a polo match' look. :lol: "Hans Polo season..." 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 No. Just no. Imma take up saying, "Wow, that was totally Norway!" when something crazy happens. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 No. Just no. Imma take up saying, "Wow, that was totally Norway!" when something crazy happens. I have occasionally used the phrase, "That's a very European idea." When it's too rude to say, "What kind of crazy is that about?" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 I have occasionally used the phrase, "That's a very European idea." When it's too rude to say, "What kind of crazy is that about?" Just out of curiosity - what counts as 'European' in that sense? I won't be offended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Just out of curiosity - what counts as 'European' in that sense? I won't be offended. Ha! It has nothing to do with Europeans just like crazy has nothing to do with Texas. In theory anyways.😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 At the same time, you can't deny that there are plenty of urban Texans who wear cowboy boots and hats and jeans with their sport coats as an affectation, without ever getting anywhere near a a cow or steer unless it's already on a plate. As the saying goes....those guys are all hat and no cattle. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 In both Sweden and Norway, when I was vacationing while in college, it seemed that when I said "I am from Texas" what was heard was "I am a slut". I was with my Swedish friend and I asked her why guys reacted when I said I was from Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 http://www.salon.com/2015/10/21/texas_has_gotten_this_bad_norwegians_now_use_the_states_name_as_slang_for_crazy_partner/ OK, I'm offended. I'm from Florida. We're way crazier than Texas. Every time a national story begins with "Florida man..." we all cringe waiting for what follows. :lol: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CT Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 re: urban cowboys: As the saying goes....those guys are all hat and no cattle. Okay, that is #Brilliant. :lol: I got nothing to add to this thread, but just want to say, this Connecticut Yankee is truly enjoying it. Thanks y'all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 As the saying goes....those guys are all hat and no cattle. The British equivalent is 'All fur coat and no knickers'. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 The British equivalent is 'All fur coat and no knickers'. I thought everyone had heard "All hat and no cattle". But, my brain can't figure this one out. Even knowing it is equivalent. Knickers are pants, right? What does that have to do with a fur coat? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 I thought everyone had heard "All hat and no cattle". But, my brain can't figure this one out. Even knowing it is equivalent. Knickers are pants, right? What does that have to do with a fur coat? No, knickers are underpants. So all fur (coat) and no knickers means all the outer show but none of the fundamentals. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CT Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Yet another brilliant cross cultural exchange courtesy of WTM.... :lol: 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.