The state motto of Texas is “Friendship,” so never let it be said that Texans don’t appreciate irony. It was derived from “tejas,” which is how Spanish settlers pronounced the Caddo Indian word for “friend”—right before the early Texans wiped most of them out. Our credo is thus a mordant joke that’s rivaled by those “Drive Friendly – the Texas Way” signs along the highway. Maybe you’ve noticed one after being forced onto the shoulder by a speeding F-150 that refused to let you merge.There have been other unofficial mottos proposed over the years, each circling closer to a more honest depiction of the Texas ethos: “Remember the Alamo” (resilient, grudgeful). “Don’t Mess With Texas” (proud, slightly combative). “F— You, I’m From Texas” (proud, openly hostile).…
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