Some things are just plain funny even when they aren’t intended to be.

This caption appeared under a photograph of Gov. Rick Perry in the Dec. 2 edition of the New York Times: “Rick Perry is painting himself as the authentic, don’t-mess-with-Texas conservative.”

Why is that funny? “Don’t Mess With Texas” was born many years ago as an anti-littering slogan. I think it was during the time that Garry Mauro was Texas land commissioner — which seems like an eternity by now.

But over the years, the phrase has morphed into some kind of super-macho state slogan. I don’t know if it’s because others outside of Texas have misinterpreted its meaning, or whether political opportunists within our state borders have seen it as a kind of “branding” device for the Lone Star State.

Maybe we ought to retire the old anti-litter slogan and trot out a new one that is less prone to being corrupted.