Understanding Amarillo: Phrases That Define the City and Confuses Others

If you're from Amarillo or have lived here for any length of time, you'll recognize phrases and references that might baffle outsiders. We have things that are foreign to everyone else.

Some events and establishments are unique to Amarillo. There are businesses that outsiders will not get a reference for. Oh, and don't think just because some of these places are gone that we have forgotten. Nope, we will still talk about them like it was yesterday.

Amarillo's Unique Local Expressions

Amarillo residents take pride in reminiscing about the city's distinctive past. One phrase I heard recently was about it being Funfest weekend, so of course, it's going to rain. Funfest has been gone for years. Outsiders need to know it was an event that the Junior League put on every Memorial Day weekend out at Thompson Park, and like clockwork, it would rain. If you think back to this Memorial Day weekend, guess what? We got rain. It's become a local tradition as much as the event itself.

Landmarks That Live On in Conversation

We love to use businesses as direction instructions. Even if the business is no longer around. For example, you will find the Amarillo Social Club in the same center at the old Gardski's. Now, mind you, Gardski's has been gone since the early 2000s, and we still mourn the loss. If you have had their summer lime chicken salad and remember those cheese rolls, you are my people.
Read More: A Journey Back to the Daily Drink Specials at Amarillo's Gardski' |

Remember when you tell friends you're heading to Toot'n Totum for a 'coke'—regardless of the actual beverage, it will confuse them when you show up with a Dr. Pepper. First, it doesn't matter what you are grabbing to drink, we call it a 'coke'. Plus, there is the what in the heck is a Toot N Totum? You know they are pretty much on every corner, so any visitor will get familiar with them quickly.

The Ever-Present Amarillo Wind

Amarillo's wind often feels like an event in itself. Heck, with Chicago being the Windy City, that has already been debunked here. It is not unusual to have the talk be more important when the wind is not blowing in Amarillo. That is more of a news event than anything else. It's also not unusual to tell your friends that you can't get out of your car because of the wind or that the wind helps to shut your car door. If you live here, you know. It happens a lot.

You may hear others talking about spray paint and how important it is when heading to the ranch. Of course, at one point, that was just making sure you have spray paint handy when heading to the Cadillac Ranch. Now, though, we have also added the Slug Bug Ranch near Starlight Ranch, so there are options on where you want to bring your spray paint to decorate.

There are things that may seem confusing when you move or visit Amarillo, but stick around for a minute, and we will get you caught up.