New Cajun Slang Terms Only Acadiana Will Understand

Earlier today I came accross a post on brobible.com talking about some of the best Southern slang phrases and what they mean. It's a really great list and we'll talk about a few of them, but it also got me thinking...we need some good Cajun slang terms for everyone here in Acadiana.

So, I came up with a few I think we should all start using immediately.

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Greatest Southern Slang Phrases Everyone Should Know

So, before we get into the new Cajun slang terms on folks from Acadiana will understand, I want to talk about a few of the Southern slang terms Brobible highlights. Some of them I've never heard of, and they're pretty fantastic.

1. Crazy As A Sprayed Roach - Meaning an "unhinged person who is manic and has no wits about them."

2. Fit To Be Tied - Describes "a patient in an insane asylum that would need to be tied down with straps."

3. That Boy’s Cornbread Ain’t Done In the Middle - It is used to "describe someone who is ‘off’ in some way or another."

4. Nuttier Than A Porta Potty At A Peanut Festival - "Not used to describe actual nuts but the case in which ‘nutty’ is akin to ‘crazy.’"

5. An Empty Wagon Makes A Lot Of Noise - Bascically it means "an empty-headed simpleton talks a LOT more than an intelligent person."

New Cajun Slang Words Inspired by Life in Acadiana

These aren't official Cajun French translations or expressions passed down from your great-grandparents. They're made-up Cajun slang terms inspired by things just about everybody in Acadiana will recognize.

My hope is that some of these will eventually find their way into everyday Acadiana conversations.

1. They're So Roux

Meaning: Two people who have an incredibly strong relationship.

Anybody who's ever made a good roux knows you can't rush perfection. It takes patience, attention, and a whole lot of stirring to get everything just right.

Relationships aren't much different.

When you see a couple that's been together forever and still acts like they're on their honeymoon, you might say, "Mais, those two are so roux!"

2. The Blue Dog Stare

Meaning: Giving somebody a completely blank, uncomfortable look.

If you're from Louisiana you've seen the famous Blue Dog paintings created by Acadiana artist George Rodrigue.

That unforgettable stare is pretty hard to mistake.

Now imagine somebody telling you they put tomatoes in their gumbo.

Yep. That's a Blue Dog Stare moment right there.

3. That's So Henny!

Meaning: Something that's absolutely fantastic, or "fire".

This one comes from Edmund McIlhenny, the man behind the famous Tabasco pepper sauce.

Everybody knows Louisiana likes a little heat, so why not turn one of our most recognizable names into a compliment?

If you hear a new song that you love, you can say "That new song is so Henny!"

4. That's an L.T.J.

Meaning: Something that's probably never going to happen.

If you've spent any time driving around Lafayette, you already know that Johnston Street can test just about anybody's patience. One simply does not take a left turn on Johnston.

L.T.J. stands for "Left Turn on Johnston," and it's the perfect way to describe something that feels practically impossible.

Can be used in conversation like "Oh, that boy keeps hitting me up on messanger to go out with him...um, it's a definate L.T.J."

5. He's Straight Houla

Meaning: A guy who's a little too popular in the dating scene.

Louisiana's official state dog is the Catahoula, known for being tough, energetic, and always on the move.

So we figured we'd borrow a little inspiration.

If you've got a buddy who seems to have a different date every weekend, you might say he's "straight Houla."

"Didn't he just have a girlfriend last week?"

"Yeah, but you know that boy's Houla."

6. She's So Kart Ranch

Meaning: Somebody everybody seems to love.

If you grew up around Lafayette, there's a good chance you've got some pretty great memories of Kart Ranch. For generations, the local attraction has been associated with birthdays, go-karts, games, and good times.

So why not use that name to describe somebody who's just impossible not to like?

Maybe it's your favorite coworker, that one neighbor who always helps everybody, or the person who can walk into any room and immediately make friends.

7. Don't Bring Your Coffee Cup

Meaning: Don't get too comfortable because this arrangement is temporary.

Used to describe a situation where you want to make sure someone understands it's only a temporary thing.

For instance, say your friend asks to borrow your weedeater. You would say "Yeah, you can borrow it but don't bring your coffee cup, I'ma need that next weekend."

Can also be used to define expectations for a one night stand, if you would ever find yourself in that situation.

brown liquid filled brown ceramic mug — Photo by Daniel Lincoln on Unsplash

8. Somebody's Chache Today

Meaning: Somebody who's in a seriously bad mood.

This one takes inspiration from Tony Chachere's, one of the most recognizable seasoning names in Louisiana.

We're pronouncing our made-up word "Sashy."

Think of somebody who's already a little salty, but with an extra helping of attitude.

One of the best things about growing up in Acadiana is realizing just how different our everyday conversations can sound to somebody who isn't from here.

Some words have been around for generations. Others are newer expressions that become popular through friends, family, and everyday conversations. And then there are completely ridiculous ones like the eight we just invented.