You’ve probably heard the phrase “Don’t Mess with Texas” countless times, but do you know its true meaning? The story behind this iconic saying is one of many fun facts about Texas that lots of people aren’t aware of. While the slogan is often used as a display of state pride, that actually isn’t its intended purpose.

In 1985, the Texas Department of Transportation decided to launch an anti-littering campaign in an effort to reduce littering on roadways throughout the state. The campaign was aimed at males aged 18-35, as they were, statistically speaking, the most likely demographic to engage in littering.
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Mike Blair and Tim McClure of advertising agency GSD&M were tasked with creating the campaign slogan. "Don't Mess with Texas" was chosen because they felt it would resonate better with the target audience.
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The campaign began with bumper stickers and slowly expanded to television advertisements (often featuring famous musicians, athletes, and celebrities), road signs, and even souvenirs in state-run rest stops and travel information facilities.
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Texans quickly took a liking to the slogan - but, unfortunately, its intended purpose has become muddled over the years. Nowadays, the phrase is more often used as a declaration of Texas pride rather than an encouragement not to litter.
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The phrase has also been used without permission countless times. Since 2000, TxDOT has issued over 100 cease and desist letters to various companies and organizations.
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Even the U.S. Navy adopted the slogan as the official motto of the Virginia class submarine, USS Texas! The phrase has also been used many times in popular culture; George W. Bush used it in his acceptance speech at the 2000 Republican National Convention, and it was even featured in a Stephen King novel.
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So, did you know the origin of this iconic phrase? What other fun facts about Texas are most people unaware of? Tell us in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article to learn why the best sight in the entire world is a “Welcome to Texas” road sign.

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