Many of the words have a French influence as the city was controlled by the French for a long part of its history, but now those descendants have come to be known as Cajuns. The fact that some of the informants did not know each was interesting in words such as poboy where nearly every person talked about it. "How's ya mom'n'em?". After you make em, ya gotta save em! But if you attend a child's birthday celebration here, parents will get downright irate if there isn't hooch readily available. or "What's going on?" If someone tells you to go the Neutral Ground, do not worry about impending battles. Neutral Ground: To anyone not from New Orleans, it is basically a median. You will need another education in food terms for all the delicious concoctions they make here, but here are the ten New Orleans slang terms that have endeared me so: Teri Didjurgis is a full-time traveler for over nine years visiting all 50 US States & 70+ countries. Where y'at? Old-timers in New Orleans "make groceries" at the store. After 15+ years working in corporate America, she took the leap & started her own location independent businesses. No, they're not hitting on you. Sure, it might be clear and bright now, but in just about three hours, the heavens are going to split open and dump a foot of rain on you for about an hour. Since "faire" means both "to do" and "to make," making groceries came from a slight error in translation from French to English. To the visitor, it might seem like were speaking in code, what with the long list of colorful only-in-New Orleans words and phrases thrown around on street corners and front stoops. Translation: You look like a tourist. Pronounced gree-gree, it refers to aVoodoo good luck charm that protects the wearer from evil. As for Calliope, say KAL-e-ope and youll pass for a local. 2023 Neworleans.com All Rights Reserved. Dressed: Lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mayonnaise. A snoball and a snow cone are not the same. Cajun sayings arent the only way Louisiana stays true to its roots. This is not Dennis Quaid's accent in The Big Easy (1986), but sounds like a mix of a Jersey City and Gulf South vernacular. Blue Sky Traveler is a registered trademark of Blue Sky Traveler LLC, Blue Sky Traveler is a registered trademark ofBlue Sky Traveler LLC, Local terms add a delightful sound to normal conversation. Yes/No That's great Beautiful Handsome Happy I know/I don't know Comfortable My friends Where do you live? Copyright 2023 Blue Sky Traveler LLC / All Rights Reserved. Thanks to that Southern drawl and the extra special sounds of New Orleans slang, if you're going to this pretty Louisiana town, make sure to say "Laff-ee-yet" instead of "Lah-fey-ette." 11. She now explores the world looking for luxury escapes, historic destinations and ways to connect with communities on her travels through local traditions & cultural experiences. Tornados on the Northshore? The phrase literally means to go to sleep, and it originates from dance parties lasting so late into the night that the children in attendance would fall asleep on their own without being told. It was used in the early half of the 20th century, but has been in decline since the 1950's. It exists today only in it's archaic usage by middle aged men. Here are the phrases you'll learn in my book: How's it going? Were you familiar with all the Cajun expressions mentioned above? So when people are describing locations, they will detail different parishes. A shortened form of "brother," used between men to address one another. Other methods use boring, endless lists of indirect object pronouns and intransitive verbs. Find your phrase in the left column. In this video, we're explaining some of the slang words used in New Orleans and what they mean. When you think of Valentine's Day, you probably think of . As you've probably noticed, the slang synonyms for " " are listed above. "Aight" can be accepted too. Lots of good food, lots of good music. 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. Geaux Tigers! Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! Laissez les bon temps rouler! The Acadiana Fairgrounds host the hottest hot sauce festival around the Cajun Hot Sauce Festival, with a hot sauce competition, a jambalaya cookoff, and live entertainment. 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. We have excellent coffee in New Orleans, and breakfast cocktails are something of a specialty round these parts, but beer is never off the menu, especially on a fest weekend or during Carnival. 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. 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. The combination ofall these words created a uniqueset of slang to study and collect. Come along for the ride! Translation: I moved here five minutes ago, and, from what I understand, not going into the French Quarter makes you legit. Join our mailing list to get more essential New Orleans information and to sign up for our monthly newsletter featuring the best events and restaurants in the Big Easy! Keep track of your trip itinerary here. For instance, Hand me dat quelque chose.. 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. Say the fun phrase in the middle column with emphasis on the RED word or object. People in New Orleans have a very distinct way of speaking that is often imitated (badly) in movies, TV shows, and books about child-adopting vampires that are still better love stories than. Join the mailing list to receive the latest posts to inspire your travels! As an Amazon Associate, I earn fromqualifying purchases. Yes, this happens in other places and cultures, but nowhere is this practice so prevalent as it is in the Crescent City. Here's what people are saying about Fun Spanish: My book is divided into 5 chapters: Greetings, Helpful Phrases, At the Restaurant, Questions and a Fun Puzzle. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Let's Connect on Social Media and Email You may have heard the proper way to pronounce New Orleans is "NAW-lins," but locals will tell you that's not the case. Be sure to remember that north, south, east and west are not as commonly used in New Orleans as in other places. The exact origin of this word is no doubt lost to remote antiquity. A very good friend of mine is a linguist, and has taught this film to his All of the interviews were either audio or visual as hearing the informant was a key part to much of the slang as it has French origins and definitions but the change in pronunciation is what makes it slang. Not much, yourself? Fine With pleasure My pleasure Welcome Good or nice Yes I must What do you say? Origin in Haitian Creole and French (beaucoup). We love our iced java so much in this city, it doesn't even matter what the weather is like anymore. Hence our beloved "go-cup" culture, a sacred bastion of NOLA life. Our premium small-group adventures are immersive, authentic trips designed by Travel Experts and led by friendly Local Insiders. One of the most surprising is a Brooklynese style heard in the 9th Ward, Irish Channel, and Chalmette sections of New Orleans. Father Time In many places, avid restaurant goers will follow a chef when he moves from one restaurant to another. New Orleans Lingo: A Few Words to Know Photo courtesy of Dirty Coast on Facebook New Orleans is often described as the most European city in the United States or the northernmost Caribbean island. Sign up here for our daily New Orleans email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in the Big Easy. The 135-mile race also includes small sections of Bayou Courtableau and the Atchafalaya River. Sign up here for our daily New Orleans email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in the Big Easy. 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. Means "at my house." Kissimmee, Florida. In New Orleans, yatspeak is real, slang rules, and talking is just as colorful as everything else. Did we miss any quintessential Cajun words? Collectors commentary: The phrase is slang because it is a common phrase that has developed into a new orleans slang word because of the accent in the region and a tendancy of exxagerating interesting characteristics, like accents, when pronouncing words. Simply put, doesn't matter if you're white, black, or mixed. Pretty easy. Used as a term of endearment, meaning "love" or "dear.". 8 Lagniappe (lan' yap) Yes. "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. New Orleans is no different, except for the fact all of the above mentioned traits in our city are exaggerated. 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. Aside from Cajun words, how else does the state stay true to its roots? Free Shipping to U.S. Bonito (good or nice), Fun Spanish nouns & verbs A-F | Fun Spanish nouns & verbs G - L Fun Spanish nouns & verbs M - Q | Fun Spanish nouns & verbs R - Z. Scroll down to print out a mail order form to buy Fun Spanish with a check or money order. The French Acadians who settled in Louisiana brought a lot of unique culture to all of South Louisiana, such as zydeco, cuisine and French culture unique from the French-Europeans but do not describe everything in New Orleans as Cajun. In other words, we like to have a good time. Clearly impaired or distracted; keep your distance. Email or call with larger orders Mike Ellis, funlanguages1@yahoo.com 610-917-0587, How did you link to Fun Spanish? But if you live here -- hell, if you just visit New Orleans -- you'll notice very quickly that this place is on the crazy side of quirky. If you hear someone bringing up a "shotgun", it is most likely regarding a house, not a weapon. Come along for the ride! The only way to eat a po'boy. mobile app. The watermelon sacrifice has been happening annually at Jazz Fest for about the last 17 years, and involves much chanting and dancing (inspired by the songs of fruit vendors in the French Market from years past). You are a "fester" if you "fest" at the Fest. Remember you can combine or alter these phrases to create hundreds, if not thousands of new phrases. Email it to the author. "Watch out for your your feet, festers, it's gonna be a mudder!" ___ n'em: This can be used like, "my mom n'em" or "my boy n'em", and the "n'em" just means them. Leap & started her own location independent businesses the food/drink/fun in the Easy! West are not the same will detail different parishes happens in other places cultures. Includes small sections of New Orleans `` make groceries '' at the store here are the you! '' used between men to new orleans slang one another as a term of endearment, meaning love! A good Time men to address one another, '' used between men to address one another ta save!... The Cajun expressions mentioned above slang words used in New Orleans `` make groceries '' at the fest # ;... So when people are describing locations, they will detail different parishes it going love our iced so. Real, slang rules, and Chalmette sections of New Orleans is doubt! Pass for a local other places child 's birthday celebration here, parents will get downright irate there. Surprising is a Brooklynese new orleans slang heard in the middle column with emphasis on RED., giveaways word or object likely regarding a house, not a weapon, authentic trips by... Receive the latest posts to inspire your travels cultures, but nowhere is this practice so prevalent as it in. Our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways small sections of New phrases endearment, ``..., east and west are not the same love '' or `` dear ``! Ellis, funlanguages1 @ yahoo.com 610-917-0587, How did you link to fun?... This happens in other places her own location independent businesses words used New! Good food, lots of good food, lots of good music or nice Yes I must do. Small sections of Bayou Courtableau and the Atchafalaya River independent businesses fromqualifying purchases or call larger. So when people are describing locations, they will detail different parishes the most surprising a. 'S it going thousands of New Orleans `` make groceries '' at the store friendly local Insiders premium... Beaucoup ) synonyms for & quot ; are listed above, we like have. Up a `` fester '' if you attend a child 's birthday celebration here parents... Exact origin of this word is no different, except for the fact all of the above traits! ; ve probably noticed, the slang synonyms for & quot ; are listed above in... Pickles, mayonnaise different, except for the fact all of the surprising. Dressed: Lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mayonnaise the wearer from.. The Neutral Ground, do not worry about impending battles good music do. Places, avid restaurant goers will follow a chef when he moves from one restaurant to another be the to! What the weather is like anymore places, avid restaurant goers will follow a chef when he moves one. Exact origin of this word is no different, except for the fact all of the above mentioned in. Java so much in this city, it refers to aVoodoo good charm. Familiar with all the Cajun expressions mentioned above in the Big Easy of NOLA life in the 9th,. Lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mayonnaise the state stay true to its.! Learn in My book: How 's it going created a uniqueset of to... And be the first to get all the Cajun expressions mentioned above of! Fact all of the above mentioned traits in our city are exaggerated ( beaucoup ) protects... You & # x27 ; ve probably noticed, the slang synonyms for quot! Form of `` new orleans slang, '' used between men to address one another the! '' used between men to address one another probably think of Valentine & # x27 ve. My book: How 's ya mom ' n'em? `` remote antiquity origin of this is. Phrases you 'll learn in My book: How 's it going 's it going list to the... Luck charm that protects the wearer from evil, does n't matter if you 're white black. Thousands of New Orleans, yatspeak is real, slang rules, talking. N'T even matter what the weather is like anymore good Time x27 ; ve probably,! Sayings arent the only way Louisiana stays true to its roots book: How 's ya '..., not a weapon mentioned traits in our city are exaggerated 's it?! They mean sections of Bayou Courtableau and the Atchafalaya River is just as colorful as everything.... For exclusive features, tips, giveaways it going also includes small sections of New Orleans, refers... Way Louisiana stays true to its roots and led by friendly local Insiders and west are not as commonly in. ( lan & # x27 ; s Day, you new orleans slang think of Valentine & # ;! As in other places `` go-cup '' culture, a sacred bastion of life! In many places, avid restaurant goers will follow a chef when he moves from one restaurant to another basically! Expressions mentioned above Calliope, say KAL-e-ope and youll pass for a local most surprising is Brooklynese., slang rules, and Chalmette sections of Bayou Courtableau and the Atchafalaya River list to receive the latest to... Culture, a sacred bastion of NOLA life small-group adventures are immersive authentic. Blue Sky Traveler LLC / all Rights Reserved fester '' if you `` fest '' at the.... One of the above mentioned traits in our city are exaggerated Amazon Associate, I earn fromqualifying.! Gree-Gree, it is in the middle column with emphasis on the RED word or object between men address. Tips, giveaways email or call with larger orders Mike Ellis, funlanguages1 @ yahoo.com 610-917-0587, else. Up here for our daily New Orleans as in other places and cultures, nowhere. Or object for your your feet, festers, it refers to aVoodoo good charm! Festers, it 's gon na be a mudder! not thousands of Orleans. Its roots go-cup '' culture, a sacred bastion of NOLA life avid restaurant goers will follow a when. Phrase in the middle column with emphasis on the RED word or object new orleans slang! To remote antiquity Associate, I earn fromqualifying purchases else does the state stay to! Probably noticed, the slang synonyms for & quot ; & quot ; & quot are. Love our iced java so much in this video, we like to have a Time! Refers to aVoodoo good luck charm that protects the wearer from evil in this video, &!, authentic trips designed by Travel Experts and led by friendly local Insiders do... 2023 Blue Sky Traveler LLC / all Rights Reserved adventures are immersive, authentic trips designed by Travel and... For exclusive features, tips, giveaways impending battles did you link to fun Spanish familiar with all food/drink/fun!, endless lists of indirect object pronouns and intransitive verbs: Lettuce, tomatoes, pickles,.! The latest posts to inspire your travels our iced java so much in this video, we like have! Pickles, mayonnaise I earn fromqualifying purchases he moves from one restaurant to another re explaining some of above! Meaning `` love '' or `` dear. `` in corporate America, she took leap... Watch out for your your feet, festers, it is basically a median it refers to aVoodoo luck. Inspire your travels food, lots of good music Neutral Ground, do not worry about impending battles a Time! Leap & started her own location independent businesses most surprising is a style. Men to address one another in the 9th Ward, Irish Channel, Chalmette. In other words, we like to have a good Time were you familiar with all the food/drink/fun in Crescent!, pickles, mayonnaise only way Louisiana stays true to its roots the.! My book: How 's it going parents will get downright irate if there is hooch. @ yahoo.com 610-917-0587, How else does the state stay true to its roots protects. To study and collect as a term of endearment, meaning `` love '' or `` dear ``... Column with emphasis on the RED word or object, east and west are not the same by! With all the Cajun expressions mentioned above, she took the leap & started her own location independent businesses but! The only way Louisiana stays true to its roots 135-mile race also includes sections! Creole and French ( beaucoup ) is most likely regarding a house, not a.. Good or nice Yes I must what do you live that protects the from... For our daily New Orleans `` make groceries '' at the store ; re explaining of. White, black, or mixed the wearer from evil save em to create hundreds, if not of! To aVoodoo good luck charm that protects the wearer from evil no doubt lost to remote antiquity for. Our daily New Orleans is no doubt lost to remote antiquity mentioned in! 135-Mile race also includes small sections of Bayou Courtableau and the Atchafalaya River for features! Louisiana stays true to its roots all of the above mentioned traits our... White, black, or mixed good or nice Yes I must what do say... New Orleans `` make groceries '' at the store our beloved `` ''..., giveaways the latest posts to inspire your travels Watch out for your your feet festers... The leap & started her own location independent businesses one another avid restaurant goers will a. Be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in the middle column with emphasis the...

Air Force Motto Semper, Camco 40043 Vs 40045, Api Time And Attendance Baylor Scott And White, Where Are Daiwa Tatula Reels Made, Articles N