Texas ratio
n.— «In banking, distress can be gauged by comparing the amounts of delinquent loans and other nonperforming assets on the books against capital and loan-loss reserves—a measure known in the industry as a “Texas ratio.” A reading above 100% indicates that a bank is in danger of failing, and one above 50% suggests that it requires a capital infusion.» —“Meet NY’s wobbliest banks” by Aaron Eistein Crain’s New York Business Feb. 28, 2009. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
A listener in Unadilla, New York, says her husband, whose family is French-Canadian, uses the phrase That burns my onions when something irritates him. There are several kitchen-related metaphors used to express anger, including that steams my...
Melissa in Charlotte, North Carolina, remembers her grandfather would describe something excellent as better than snuff, but not near as dusty. The snuff in this case refers to finely ground smokeless tobacco. It arose at a time when snuff was...