The 15 Most Common Words Texans Use That Have Double Meaning

Double Speak: The Heart of West Texas Language

The beauty of the West Texas language isn’t just in the slang like “fixin’ to” or “jeet yet?” It’s in these words that carry a double meaning, or better yet as we Texans like to call it "Double Speak." They show how dynamic our speech is, and how the same word can take on a completely different meaning, depending on how we use it.

So next time you hear someone say they’re “fixin’ to trim the tree,” you might ponder the thought, "Are they decorating it, or cutting off some scraggly branches?" Words like these make our conversations in West Texas more rich, colorful, mysterious, or entirely the opposite.

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A Lesson in Double Meanings From My Childhood

The latter one (opposite) is what happened to me in my younger days. My mother was leaving the house she was going to the grocery store at the Air Force Base and my mom said, "Get ready because when I get home I'm going to need your help because I want to TRIM the tree." Yep! Mom meant "DECORATE" and I thought "CUT-OFF" branches off of the pine tree in the front yard.

The Surprising Double Meanings of Everyday West Texas Words

In West Texas, language is as colorful and varied as the landscape itself. While we’re known for our unique slang, like “fixin’ to” and “jeet yet?” there are plenty of everyday words that carry double meanings, and sometimes, those meanings are opposites!

Here’s a list of words that prove just how dynamic and rich our West Texas language can be, with examples that might surprise you:

The Top 15 Words that I Refer to as: "West Texas Double Speak!"

Source: Reader's Digest