Growing up in Louisiana, you’re bound to hear some interesting Cajun sayings. You may not even think some of our common Cajun expressions are unique. Well, that is, until you utter some funny Cajun slang words outside of Louisiana, and you raise a few eyebrows. In addition to quirky Cajun sayings, there are some other interesting phrases found throughout Louisiana – all of which will make you say “Yep, I’ve said that before.”
- Dressed
Wally Gobetz/Flickr No, we’re not talking about putting clothes on. In Louisiana, this term refers to how you’d like your po’boy. If you’d like your po’boy dressed, then it’ll come with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and mayo.
- Cher
Hailey/Flickr Used as a term of endearment, meaning “love” or “dear.”
- Fais do-do
Shreveport-Bossier/Flickr This Cajun term refers to a party that lasts long into the night.
- Debris
Joanne Wan/Flickr Ever picked off the little burnt pieces that fall off of a roast? Some would say it’s the best part, and we call that “debris.”
- Pass a good time
jc.winkler/Flickr We love to pass a good time! In other words, we like to have a good time.
- Beaucoup
Memphis CVB/Flickr Pronounced boo-coo, it’s French for “a lot.” As in, there were beaucoup people at the crawfish boil.
- Ca c’est bon
Jason Meredith/Flickr It’s good!
- Holy Trinity
Jessica/Flickr The cornerstone of all Cajun and Creole cooking begins with the Holy Trinity: onions, bell peppers, and celery.
- Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Nathan Rupert/Flickr Let the good times roll!
- Lagniappe
nola.agent/Flickr A little something extra you probably weren’t expecting.
- Make Groceries
phrawr/Flickr That weekly trip to the grocery store!
- Save Groceries
meaduva/Flickr After you make ‘em, ya gotta save ‘em! (AKA, put them away.)
What are some other Cajun sayings common in Louisiana? Were you familiar with all the Cajun expressions mentioned above? Did we miss any quintessential Cajun words? Let us know!
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
No, we’re not talking about putting clothes on. In Louisiana, this term refers to how you’d like your po’boy. If you’d like your po’boy dressed, then it’ll come with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and mayo.
Hailey/Flickr
Used as a term of endearment, meaning “love” or “dear.”
Shreveport-Bossier/Flickr
This Cajun term refers to a party that lasts long into the night.
Joanne Wan/Flickr
Ever picked off the little burnt pieces that fall off of a roast? Some would say it’s the best part, and we call that “debris.”
jc.winkler/Flickr
We love to pass a good time! In other words, we like to have a good time.
Memphis CVB/Flickr
Pronounced boo-coo, it’s French for “a lot.” As in, there were beaucoup people at the crawfish boil.
Jason Meredith/Flickr
It’s good!
Jessica/Flickr
The cornerstone of all Cajun and Creole cooking begins with the Holy Trinity: onions, bell peppers, and celery.
Nathan Rupert/Flickr
Let the good times roll!
nola.agent/Flickr
A little something extra you probably weren’t expecting.
phrawr/Flickr
That weekly trip to the grocery store!
meaduva/Flickr
After you make ‘em, ya gotta save ‘em! (AKA, put them away.)
Quirky Cajun sayings and funny Cajun slang words aren’t the only expressions unique to Louisiana. We use all kinds of unique words and sayings in the Pelican State including these 15 words you’ll only understand if you’re from Louisiana.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Cajun Sayings April 27, 2022 Daniella DiRienzo What are some other funny Cajun slang words? The expressions above aren’t the only Cajun sayings commonly heard in Louisiana. There are several others including “pirogues.” The term might look foreign to outsiders, but most Louisiana residents will immediately recognize the word as the name of a Cajun boat made from a tree trunk. Long and narrow with flat bottoms, they’re perfect for navigating Louisiana’s shallow swamps and marshes. What other Cajun sayings are commonly used in Louisiana? Whacky Cajun expressions are practically a dime a dozen in Louisiana. Among the state’s most commonly used Cajun sayings is “quelque chose.” Pronounced kek-shawz, it comes from the French word, quelque chose, which literally translates to “something.” Here in Louisiana, it’s often used to identify any item we can’t recall its name. For instance, “Hand me dat quelque chose.” Aside from Cajun words, how else does the state stay true to its roots? Cajun sayings aren’t the only way Louisiana stays true to its roots. The state’s heritage is celebrated in many ways, including food, and there’s no better place to get a taste of Louisiana’s Cajun heritage than Mulate’s. 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. Mulate’s might not be as humorous as the funny Cajun slang words above, but it’s sure to make as much of an impression as the state’s colorful vocabulary.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Cajun Sayings
April 27, 2022
Daniella DiRienzo
What are some other funny Cajun slang words? The expressions above aren’t the only Cajun sayings commonly heard in Louisiana. There are several others including “pirogues.” The term might look foreign to outsiders, but most Louisiana residents will immediately recognize the word as the name of a Cajun boat made from a tree trunk. Long and narrow with flat bottoms, they’re perfect for navigating Louisiana’s shallow swamps and marshes. What other Cajun sayings are commonly used in Louisiana? Whacky Cajun expressions are practically a dime a dozen in Louisiana. Among the state’s most commonly used Cajun sayings is “quelque chose.” Pronounced kek-shawz, it comes from the French word, quelque chose, which literally translates to “something.” Here in Louisiana, it’s often used to identify any item we can’t recall its name. For instance, “Hand me dat quelque chose.” Aside from Cajun words, how else does the state stay true to its roots? Cajun sayings aren’t the only way Louisiana stays true to its roots. The state’s heritage is celebrated in many ways, including food, and there’s no better place to get a taste of Louisiana’s Cajun heritage than Mulate’s. 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. Mulate’s might not be as humorous as the funny Cajun slang words above, but it’s sure to make as much of an impression as the state’s colorful vocabulary.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The expressions above aren’t the only Cajun sayings commonly heard in Louisiana. There are several others including “pirogues.” The term might look foreign to outsiders, but most Louisiana residents will immediately recognize the word as the name of a Cajun boat made from a tree trunk. Long and narrow with flat bottoms, they’re perfect for navigating Louisiana’s shallow swamps and marshes.
What other Cajun sayings are commonly used in Louisiana?
Whacky Cajun expressions are practically a dime a dozen in Louisiana. Among the state’s most commonly used Cajun sayings is “quelque chose.” Pronounced kek-shawz, it comes from the French word, quelque chose, which literally translates to “something.” Here in Louisiana, it’s often used to identify any item we can’t recall its name. For instance, “Hand me dat quelque chose.”
Aside from Cajun words, how else does the state stay true to its roots?
Cajun sayings aren’t the only way Louisiana stays true to its roots. The state’s heritage is celebrated in many ways, including food, and there’s no better place to get a taste of Louisiana’s Cajun heritage than Mulate’s. 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. Mulate’s might not be as humorous as the funny Cajun slang words above, but it’s sure to make as much of an impression as the state’s colorful vocabulary.
