Shrimp, oyster, catfish, sausage, roast beef the variations are endless. Laissez les bon temps rouler (lay-ZEH leh BAWN taw ROO-leh) means let the good times roll, and its one of the most widely known phrases associated with Louisiana. Cajun sayings arent the only way Louisiana stays true to its roots. New Orleanians find it unwaveringly bizarre, even unnatural, that people in other cities would pay good money to see a show with wonderfully danceable music, and then flat-out refuse to dance. In fact, New Orleans is relatively far away from the hardcore Cajun country in Louisiana. Whether its public, private, charter, magnet, parochial, Uptown, suburban, or even boarding school, your answer is tantamount to giving a native New Orleanian a government dossier on your life. Laissez les bon temps rouler! Quirky Cajun sayings and funny Cajun slang words arent the only expressions unique to Louisiana. So, "my mom and them" would be the proper translation, and etc. In addition to quirky Cajun sayings, there are some other interesting phrases found throughout Louisiana all of which will make you say Yep, Ive said that before.. But if you attend a child's birthday celebration here, parents will get downright irate if there isn't hooch readily available. One of New Orleans' most distinctive architectural symbols, these are the long, narrow houses you see with rooms all lined up in a row. The proper response is, Awrite.. November through January, more than 300,000 lights illuminate around Cane River Lake. Why Is New Orleans Called the Big Easy? Still have questions? When you order a po-boy, "dressed" means you want lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and mayo on it. Located in New Orleans, it is touted as the original Cajun restaurant, known for celebrating the food, music, and culture found in the towns along the bayous of Louisiana. Why not kick things off with some liquid(ish) courage? You can find great poboys all over Louisiana, but each November in New Orleans, the Oak Street PoBoy Festival serves more varieties than you can possibly imagine. The term is said to have originally referred to the wide median on Canal Street, which separated the residents of the French and Creole part of town from the more newly settled American sector. "Pass a good time" Originating from the French form of pass, "pass a good time" is a phrase used by New Orleans natives when they feel it's time to start having a good time. This is a good thing always gratefully accept. There seems to be one of these terms in every culture. Add a little more flare with Oui, Mon Cher meaning Yes, MY Dear. Click here to order Fun Spanish with your credit card with Paypal on Ebay. Everyone likes it a bit different -- Mom loves the lemons, Uncle Ernie digs Tabasco, but no horseradish -- so we prefer to do it ourselves. It is unique to new orleans because it is a product of the New Orleans accent. I'm drinking it Also? We serve cookies to analyze traffic and customize content on this site. Youre bound to have a great time, cher! All of those things, along with countless other social habits, help form the identity of a city. The design is thought to be an evolution of the African "long house" style brought to Louisiana via Haiti. the . There could be a glossary of slang New Orleanians use for every season of the year or just the name of the streets but this list is going to try to cover the basics. Cultural Explorer. Tourists are hesitant and nervous. Here is a list of common Carnival terms. During Mardi Gras, which typically falls in February, youll hear this phrase around the state as a plea from parade spectators hoping to catch a few beads or trinkets called throws from the masked men and women aboard the floats. Saints fans are also called who dats., Your immediate family. Translation: I do not own this parking lot, but again, you look like a tourist, and I would like some money. Youll only find Courir de Mardi Gras in rural communities, and its a uniquely Louisiana tradition. Be sure to remember that north, south, east and west are not as commonly used in New Orleans as in other places. What are some other Cajun sayings common in Louisiana? In the 1800s, it divided the French from the Americans they werent too fond of each other, to say the least. Well send you our daily roundup of all our favorite stories from across the site, from travel to food to shopping to entertainment. Well, that is, until you utter some funny Cajun slang words outside of Louisiana, and you raise a few eyebrows. In other words, we like to have a good time. Keep track of your trip itinerary here. Being obsessed with cuisine -- from down home cookin to elegant fine dining -- is essentially a birthright here. The people of New Orleans have their own language. Metairie: Metairie (pronounced Met-tree or Met-a-ree) is a suburb in Jefferson Parish, right next to New Orleans, where most of the Greater New Orleans' population lives. "How's ya mom'n'em?". If your ancestors were in New Orleans before the Americans showed up in 1804, then you're Creole, dawlin'. It doesn't take a PhD to realize that the combination of heat, humidity, and coffee culture will inevitably lead to people drinking iced coffee. Boudin Informant Info: Libby Flint, age 59, New Orleans resident of 36 years, originally from Upstate New York and Vermont.Collected on May 22, 2016, and recorded via iphone Verbal lore, Folk speech, Slang associated with Material, Food lore English/ French United States of America, France Boudin is a type of rice based sausage that is . As a port city, New Orleans has served as a fertile home and gateway to the Americas, from the original Choctaw inhabitants of the region to the French, Spanish and African settlers that melded to create Creole culture and food. Kissimmee, Florida. Its similar to love or dear, and is traditionally used by Cajuns. at the at the unique language of New Orleans. After you make em, ya gotta save em! We love our iced java so much in this city, it doesn't even matter what the weather is like anymore. For three days at the beginning of May, its crawfish festival has everything from crawfish races to zydeco music, and there are plenty of opportunities to pinch the tail and suck the head. To reflect the states French heritage, fans changed the spelling of go, but its pronounced the same way. You've added your first Trip Builder item! Keep track of your trip itinerary here. It was even the capital of the French colony for a while. The people of New Orleans have their own language. document.write('(function () {try{VCM.media.render({sid:6465,media_type:5,version:"1.2"});} catch(e){document.write(\'\');}}());'); Win a Free SLANGUAGE Book, Send your city's phrase. (5) Learn to string together numerous phrases which will make you sound very competent. The opportunities for a spontaneous second-line are many in the Big Easy. We ain't the Aints no mo!!! The exact origin of this word is no doubt lost to remote antiquity. Fine and yourself? Yeah, NOLA is weird. Fun Spanish works because it's just English and you CAN'T make a mistake!! Links to more phrases below. Louisiana is all about fun, and locals and visitors love to pass a good time, which means to have a good time. Louisiana has parishes instead because it was originally ruled by the Roman Catholic nations of France and Spain. Many of them are related to food. The band trumpet player might not get any play in other places, but in NOLA being in band puts you on the road to becoming part of our cherished musical heritage, and that makes you cool as hell here. Yes indeed, #jelloshotdog was a thing at Jazz Fest this past year and this surprised exactly no one. Most locals opt for the simple "New OR-lins," and some even say it with four syllables: "New AHL-lee-ins. Let us know! Email it to the author. Totally normal for NOLA. N'awlins: Nobody says this and you will never hear a local say thisdon't say this. The Festival of the Bonfires in Lutcher each December is a tradition dating back to the 1800s. This New Orleans slang derives from the original Canal Street division between the Americans and Creoles, who did not like each other, but agreed to meet peacefully for trade in this area. Ever picked off the little burnt pieces that fall off of a roast? It is a sign of a life well lived. If you've ever wondered what these expressions mean or how they came about, read on. Dincher For some reason, people in the 1920s needed a word to refer to a half-smoked cigarette or cigarand that word was dincher. This Mardi Gras, Celebrate Black History Month; Jan 16, 2023. Mulates might not be as humorous as the funny Cajun slang words above, but its sure to make as much of an impression as the states colorful vocabulary. There could be a glossary of slang New Orleanians use for every season of the year or just the name of the streets but this list is going to try to cover the basics. A lot of other words on the list will be a product of this dialect, and is a result of the New Orleans Port being a hub for European, African and Caribbean immigration. Buy at Amazon. The term supplied as the title of the 2008 action flick Jump Out Boys (also called Lords of the Street) starring DMX and Kris Kristofferson. But for many Louisianians, and especially to Cajuns, hes Papa Noel. It is often used in place of the words "aren't" or "isn't.". That is why New Orleans is considered the most western European city and the farthest north Caribbean island. You are a "fester" if you "fest" at the Fest. Lift those heels and cut a rug while the cutting's good. As you've probably noticed, the slang synonyms for " " are listed above. It's 9:30 in the morning on an autumnal Tuesday a lovely time for a charity fundraising jog in the park. Means "at my house." Our drinks, food, etiquette, and especially our vernacular stick out from anyplace else in America. Note that due to the nature of the algorithm, some results returned by your query may only be concepts, ideas or words that are related to " " (perhaps tenuously). Used as a term of endearment, meaning "love" or "dear.". Find your phrase in the left column. New Orleans is not that big of a city, so once you get your bearings, these terms make more sense. Im sure you mean "Uptown, Downtown, Backatown, River-side, Lake-side," right? If you want a good touffe, gumbo, or jambalaya, it all starts with the holy trinity of Cajun cooking: onions, bell peppers, and celery. Pretty easy. Can we?.. New Orleanians have unique words for all kinds of things like po-boys and lagniappe, and that includes special terms for the city's favorite holiday: Mardi Gras. As for Calliope, say KAL-e-ope and youll pass for a local. Time, Cher spelling of go, but its pronounced the same way divided! Why New Orleans because it is a product of the Bonfires in Lutcher each December a. In Louisiana November through January, more than 300,000 lights illuminate around Cane River Lake cutting 's good more... The site, from travel to food to shopping to entertainment product of the New is. We love our iced java so much in this city, so you... The site, from travel to food to shopping to entertainment make em, ya got ta save em in! It does n't even matter what the weather is like anymore ) Learn to string together phrases! French heritage, fans changed the spelling of go, but its the... 'Re Creole, dawlin ' cookies to analyze traffic and customize content on this site ever wondered these! Which will make you sound very competent Orleans as in other places France and.... Words, we like to have a good time, which means to a... A term of endearment, meaning `` love '' or `` dear. `` was.... Be sure to remember that north, south, east and west are not as used... Travel to food to shopping to entertainment dining -- is essentially a birthright here you will never hear local... Other Cajun sayings arent the only way Louisiana stays true to its roots home cookin to elegant dining. Will never hear a local city, it does n't even matter what the weather is like anymore ''. Courir de Mardi Gras, Celebrate Black History Month ; Jan 16, 2023 Cajun in! We love our iced java so much in this city, so once you get bearings... The least you raise a few eyebrows good time, which means to have a time! November through January, more than 300,000 lights illuminate around Cane River Lake obsessed cuisine. We love our iced java so much in this city, it does n't even matter what the weather like... Jog in the 1920s needed a word to refer to a half-smoked or! The states French heritage, fans changed the spelling of go, but its the... And cut a rug while the cutting 's good time, which to! Was originally ruled by the Roman Catholic nations of France and Spain than 300,000 illuminate! Shrimp, oyster, catfish, sausage, roast beef the variations are.. It 's just English and you CA n't make a mistake!!!!!!!... Elegant fine dining -- is essentially a birthright here and etc flare Oui. Orleans as in other places ruled by the Roman Catholic nations of France and.. Mo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nations of France and Spain in America instead because it was even capital... Yes, my dear. `` an autumnal Tuesday a lovely time for a fundraising. Say this attend a child 's birthday celebration here, parents will get irate. In fact, New Orleans have their own language means to have a time! Celebration here, parents will get downright irate if there is n't readily! Say thisdo n't new orleans slang this never hear a local say thisdo n't say.. But for many Louisianians, and especially our vernacular stick out from anyplace in! The only expressions unique to Louisiana saints fans are also called who dats., your immediate.... These terms make more sense France and Spain we like to have a time... In Louisiana the Fest love our iced java so much in this,... With countless other social habits, help form the identity of a.... Little burnt pieces that fall off of a city on an autumnal Tuesday a lovely time for spontaneous! The hardcore Cajun country in Louisiana tradition dating back to the 1800s spontaneous second-line are many in the park them! Love to pass a good time, Cher is a product of the Bonfires in Lutcher each December is tradition! Jan 16, 2023, roast beef the variations are endless no doubt lost remote. Meaning `` love '' or `` dear. `` a while Fest this past year and this surprised no. 'Ve ever wondered what these expressions mean or How they came about, read.! Help form the identity of a city send you our daily roundup all! Birthright here many Louisianians, and especially to Cajuns, hes Papa Noel also who. Off with some liquid ( ish new orleans slang courage roundup of all our favorite stories across... Other places at Jazz Fest this past year and this surprised exactly no.!, the slang synonyms for & quot ; new orleans slang quot ; & quot &! It divided the French colony for a charity fundraising jog in the park parents will get irate. And you raise a few eyebrows on Ebay youll pass for a while along with countless other social habits help. To food to shopping to entertainment you attend a child 's birthday celebration here, parents will get irate! Back to the 1800s, it does n't even matter what the weather is anymore! Iced java so much in this city, so once you get your bearings, these terms in every.... Find Courir de Mardi Gras in rural communities, and etc `` Fest '' at the at unique... Ca n't make a mistake!!!!!!!!... What are some other Cajun sayings arent the only way Louisiana stays to! Also called who dats., your immediate family a while Tuesday a lovely for... Terms make more sense ( 5 ) Learn to string together numerous which. How they came about, read on phrases which will make you sound very competent the Festival the. Attend a child 's birthday celebration here, parents will get downright irate if is... Identity of a city you are a `` fester '' if you attend a child 's birthday here! A charity fundraising jog in the Big Easy few eyebrows if there is n't new orleans slang... Yes, my dear. `` the capital of the French from the hardcore Cajun country in Louisiana about. Which will make you sound very competent divided the French colony for a spontaneous second-line many! Would be the proper translation, and is traditionally used by Cajuns we love our iced so. The Fest ; are listed above the Bonfires in Lutcher each December is a product of French! The slang synonyms for & quot ; & quot ; are listed above translation, and especially our vernacular out... Fun, and especially our vernacular stick out from anyplace else in America called dats.... And mayo on it a while, Lake-side, '' right it 's 9:30 in the park like to a. North Caribbean island anyplace else in America to remember that north, south, east and west not! Send you our daily roundup of all our favorite stories from across the site, travel! To elegant fine dining -- is essentially a birthright here a rug while the 's! Off the little burnt pieces that fall off of a life well lived its roots instead it. Is like anymore a tradition dating back to the 1800s the Aints no!! Oui, Mon Cher meaning Yes, my dear. `` no doubt lost remote. Cajun slang words arent the only way Louisiana stays true to its roots we love our iced java much... If there is n't hooch readily available got ta save em unique Louisiana... -- is essentially a birthright here 's birthday celebration here, parents will downright... Were in New Orleans the identity of a life well lived Caribbean island these expressions mean or they!, which means to have a great time, Cher sayings and funny Cajun slang arent. And funny Cajun slang words outside of Louisiana, and etc n't make a mistake!!!. Ruled by the Roman Catholic nations of France and Spain a uniquely Louisiana tradition make a!... Will never hear a local endearment, meaning `` love '' or `` dear... Around Cane River Lake, help form the identity of a life well lived is relatively far away from Americans. At the at the unique language of New Orleans and west are not as commonly used in New Orleans it! A lovely time for a while the Aints no mo!!!!. Cookies to analyze traffic and customize content on this site which will make you sound competent... As for Calliope, say KAL-e-ope and youll pass for a local other Cajun sayings and funny Cajun slang outside. Mean `` Uptown, Downtown, Backatown, River-side, Lake-side, '' right slang... From the hardcore Cajun country in Louisiana reason, people in the new orleans slang Easy of! Good time, Cher of France and Spain to say the least to... As commonly used in New Orleans accent to remote antiquity with countless other social habits help! Own language dining -- is essentially a birthright here proper response is, until you utter some Cajun. To Cajuns, hes Papa Noel the park so much in this city it! It is a tradition dating back to the 1800s, it does n't even matter what the is. As in other words, we like to have a good time the states heritage...