A dirty joke definition of a “Texan” is “a Mexican (“wetback”) who couldn’t swim to Oklahoma.” The “joke” was popular in Oklahoma, but not in Texas.
Google Books
Semi-Tough
by Dan Jenkins
Thunder’s Mouth Press
2006
original printing—New York: Atheneum, 1972
Pg. 11
“Say, Puddin. You know what a Texan is?”
Puddin half-turned around.
He laughed and said to the room, “Cat done told me it was a Mexican on his way to Oklahoma.”
Google Books
The Dirty Joke Book
by Mr. “K”
Citadel Press
2001
Pg. 90:
WHAT’s the definition of a Texan?
A Mexican on his way to Oklahoma.
canonical list of funny definitions
Texan - a Mexican that couldn’t swim all the way to Oklahoma
YAHOO! Answers (since removed)
What do you call a Mexican that runs out of money on his way to Oklahoma?
a Texan
Google Groups: rec.humor
Newsgroups: rec.humor
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Date: 30 Jul 91 00:01:36 GMT
Local: Mon, Jul 29 1991 8:01 pm
Subject: Re: W. Va. Jokes, Re: Texans
Do you know what a Texan is?
A Mexican on his way to Oklahoma.
American Dialect Society listserv
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2005 18:11:34 -0400
From: Wilson Gray
Subject: “Wag” = “carry”
(...)
Also FWIW, Dr. Phil, like Bill Moyers, was born in Oklahoma but reared in Texas. Old joke:
Q. What’s a Texan?
A. A Mexican on his way to Oklahoma.
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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