Here are 10 hilarious sayings you’ll only hear in Louisiana, capturing the unique charm and humor of the local culture and Cajun influence:
10 Hilarious Louisiana Sayings
“Envie” (pronounced ah(n)-vee)
Means a strong craving or hunger for something. Example: “I’ve got an envie for some jambalaya.” It’s like having a hankering but with Cajun flair.
“Honte” (pronounced hont)
Means embarrassed or ashamed. Example: “Boy, I was honte when I forgot my hat at the crawfish boil!”.
“Veiller” (pronounced vay-yay)
Means to spend the evening talking and socializing, usually on the porch. Like shooting the breeze Southern style.
“Gris Gris” (pronounced gree-gree)
Refers humorously to putting a curse on someone. Example: “Grandma put a gris gris on me for eating her pie.”.
“Fais do-do” (pronounced fay doe-doe)
A Cajun dance party. The phrase literally means “go to sleep,” referring to how babies at these late dance parties often fell asleep.
“Laissez les bon temps rouler” (pronounced lay-zay lay bon ton roo-lay)
Means “Let the good times roll,” a motto embracing Louisiana’s love for life and celebration.
“Throw me somethin’, Mister!”
A Mardi Gras saying shouted by parade-goers, hoping to catch beads or trinkets from floats.
“You can’t leave Louisiana without trying some boudin!”
A funny and true phrase about the beloved Cajun sausage everyone must try.
“How’s ya mama an’ them?”
A uniquely Louisiana way to ask how your family is doing, showing the deep community ties.
“That’s a whole ‘nother story.”
Used to deflect or explain something complicated or just to add humor when things don’t go as planned.
These sayings reflect Louisiana’s lively spirit, humor, and deep cultural roots, making them both amusing and meaningful to locals.
SOURCES
(https://www.enjoytravel.com/en/travel-news/places-to-visit/cajun-sayings-louisiana)(https://matadornetwork.com/read/19-words-expressions-learn-traveling-louisiana/)(https://thebayouinsider.substack.com/p/louisiana-slang-words-you-need-to)(https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/multicultural/colorful-words/)(https://www.reddit.com/r/NewOrleans/comments/176makx/what_phrases_sayings_are_unique_to_new_orleans/)
