Adderall – an amphetamine stimulant used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, it can be used as an athletic and cognitive enhancer as well as euphoriant.
Al Qaeda – a militant organization founded in 1988 by Osama Bin Laden, it has been designated as a terrorist organization by the UN, NATO, EU, and other countries.
Bagley tractor – an independently owned company in Texas that opened in 2000 specializing in agricultural machines.
Blue Collar Workers – workers involved in more labor-intensive jobs that involve their hands; skills and education vary, but they often learn through vocational school or on the job. They are usually paid hourly versus a salary. The alternative is white collar workers, who tend to work in office settings. They tend to be more formally trained and possesses professional degrees; they earn salaries.
Buick – American upscale car brand of General Motors; below Cadillac and above Chevrolet
Charley-horse - painful involuntary spasms or cramps in the leg muscles caused by a punch or knee to the thigh, lasting up to a few days.
Chevrolet – American popular/mainstream brand of General Motors
Chiggers – a mite
CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) – a civilian foreign intelligence service of the US government; they gather, process, and analyze national security information from around the world and provide information to the President and Cabinet. It differs from the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) in that it has no law enforcement and is focused on oversees information, versus domestic.
Cuervo – means crow or raven
Dexedrine – also an amphetamine used for ADHD and narcolepsy.
Falun Gong – a Chinese spiritual practice that emphasizes meditation, qigong exercise (related to tai chi), and a moral philosophy focused on truth, compassion, and forbearance. It was first taught publically in 1992, but came under fire from the Community Party as officials were concerned it was a threat due to its size, independence from the state, and spiritual teachings. In 1999, they blocked internet access to sites that mentioned it and reportedly cracked down on the practitioners themselves.
Five and dime – also known as five-cent, ten-cent, or dime stores, they were popular in the early to mid-20th century and sold items worth five or ten cents.
Foreclosures - foreclosures occur when a homeowner is unable to pay the full value of the mortgage and interest; it is the process of the bank repossessing the house.
Friday Night Lights – a 1990 non-fiction book by H.G. Bissinger that follows the story of the 1988 Permian High School (located in Odessa) Panthers football team. Originally meant to be a chronicle about sports holding together a small town, it ended up looking at Odessa rather critically; it was later adapted into an acclaimed film in 2004 and a television series in 2011.
Furies – from greek muuth, the furies were female deities who inhabited the underworld. They are invoked in the Iliad as “those who beneath the earth punish whosoever has sworn a false oath”.
Hari kari – a form of Japanese ritual suicide, usually reserved for samurai, it is done by disembowelment.
Hatchback – a car body configuration with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to a cargo area.
Highlander – a 1986 film about immortal warriors
Honda – Japanese public multinational conglomerate known mainly for its cars, motorcycles, and power equipment
In extremis – in an extremely difficult situation
Jimmy Dean – (1928 – 2010) was an American country singer, TV host, and actor who got his start on CBS in 1957. He rose to fame for his 1961 country hit “Big Bad John” and 1963 ABC TV series, The Jimmy Dean Show (which also helped launch Jim Henson’s career). He also founded the sausage brand named for him.
Karen Silkwood – (1946 – 1974) an American chemical technician and labor union activist known for raising concerns about corporate practices related to health and safety of workers in a nuclear facility; she died in a car accident that has been deemed suspect.
Kemosabe – is the catchphrase of Tonto, the Native American companion in the radio and television show The Lone Ranger; kemosabe has become so widespread it was entered into the dictionary in 2002.
KLTV – ABC affiliated chain
Kroger – an American company founded in 1883, it is the country’s largest supermarket chain, second-largest general retailer (after Walmart), and 23rd largest company in the US.
KYKX Kicks 105.7 – East Texas best country (slogan), aired since 1977
Le Tourneau University – a private, interdenominational Christian university in Longview, it was founded in 1946 to educate WWII veterans, but has grown into a well-recongnized school. In 2015, the school stood for its beliefs that banned gay athletes from dating and showing support for gay marriage.
Mary Kay – American marketing and sales company that sells cosmetics; they were the sixth largest direct selling company in the world in 2011. The company is based in Addison Texas, and was founded in 1963.
Maserati – Italian luxury vehicle manufacturer established in 1914
Matthew McConaughey – an American actor from Longview, TX, his career has spanned over 30 years and has included films such as Dallas Buyers Club, Interstellar, and Contact.
National Automobile Dealers Association – founded in 1917, the NADA represents nearly 16,000 dealerships with around 32,000 franchises. Its purpose is to provide automotive information and advocacy to consumers and dealers
Omni construction - general remodeling contractor for both residential and light commercial projects
Porsche - German car manufacturer specializing in high-performance sports cars, SUVs, and sedans
Pre-existing conditions – any condition that a patient received treatment or advice for before enrolling in a new insurance plan
Rambo – film character played by Stallone, a Vietnam vet and US Special Forces soldier
River Styx – from Greek myth, the Styx is a river (and deity) on the boundary between Earth and the Underworld, upon which Charon, the ferryman of the dead, shuffles across. However, in original Greek and Roman sources, Charon plied the river Acheron (another river of the Underworld).
Satellite radio – broadcasts radiowaves nationwide, across a larger geographical area than terrestrial stations and the service is primarily meant for people in cars. It is available by subscription, usually commercial free, and offer more options than standard radio.
Schwinn - a bicycle company founded in Chicago in 1895 by a German native, it was the dominant manufacturer of American bicycles through most of the 20th century. It declared bankruptcy in 1992 and is now a sub-brand of Pacific Cycle.
Shyakpa – a Sherpa meal consisting radish and noodles
Sleep deprivation – Here’s a chart from the Huffington Post about the effects after one night without sleep: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/08/sleep-deprivation_n_4557142.html
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) – formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, SNAP is a federal aid program that provides assistance for low-income people to purchase food. The amount of benefits received depends on the household’s size, income, and expenses. The program uses paper coupons with 1:1 ratio of money, but in the late 1990s the program began using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which act like debit cards.
Steve McQueen – (1930 – 1980) was an American actor known for his anti-hero and “cool” persona during the height on the 1960s counterculture. In 1974, he was the highest-paid movie star in the world, even though he was belligerent with directors and producers.
Tae kwon do – a Korean martial art developed in the 1940s and 1950s.
Texas A&M – A coeducational public research university in College Station, Texas; it is the first public institution of higher education in Texas and the A&M (meaning, Agricultural and Mechanical) are retained as a link to its past.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu – An ancient Chinese military treatise from the 5th century BC, attributed to “Master Sun”. It is considered a definitive work on military strategy and tactics.
Traction – refers to the set of mechanisms for straightening broken bones or relieving pressure on the skeletal system.
UPS – the world's largest delivery company and a provider of supply chain management solutions. They also operate their own airline and cargo delivery service.