The White House is not just getting a new team, but a whole new language. President George W. Bush will be bringing with him many friends from Texas, and for anyone not born in the Lone Star State, the Texan accent and the cowboy colloquialisms can be impenetrable.

Following is a glossary of common terms y'all going to have to learn. And remember, "You can always tell a Texan, but you can't tell him much."


The engine's runnin but thar ain't nobody driving. (Not over-intelligent.)

As welcome as a skunk at a lawn party. (Really not welcome at all.)

Tighter than bark on a tree. (Not the most generous of people.)

Big Hat, No Cattle. (All talk and no trousers.)

We've howdied but we ain't shook yet. (We've made a brief acquaintance, but have not been formally introduced.)

He thinks the sun comes up just to hear him crow. (He has a pretty high opinion of himself.)

She's got tongue enough for 10 rows of teeth. (My goodness, can that woman talk.)

It's so dry the trees are bribin' the dogs. (We really could use some rain around here.)

More 'fraid than a long-tail cat in a room full of rockers. (Somewhat lacking in courage.)

Just because a chicken has wings don't mean it can fly. (Appearances can be deceptive.)

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. (They're livin' in sin.)

Time to paint your butt white and run with the antelope. (Stop arguing and do as you're told.)

As full of wind as a corn-eating horse. (Rather prone to boasting.)

Submitted by Robert Eldrich

And the new President Bush limousine: