New Orleans Dictionary

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Talk the talk and walk the walk – here are some fun terms to use around town and sound like a local.  Scroll down for a food dictionary to help you decipher the menus.
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BIG EASY
This is a euphemism for New Orleans, it is attributed to Betty Guillaud, a gossip columnist for the Times Picayune, in the ’70s as a term of endearment and an answer to the then I Love New York City hype. If it’s the “Big Apple” then New Orleans is the “Big Easy,” where everything is slower, simpler and easy-going.
BON APPETITE (Bon a-pet – tite’)
Good appetite – or “Enjoy!”
BOO
A term of endearment, frequently used by parents and grandparents for small children, even small children who happen to be 40 years old … Believed to be Cajun in origin.
CREOLE (Kree Yole)
Créole has come to mean a people of generally mixed French, African American, Spanish, and Native American ancestry, who are Catholic and have French influence. It also is a style of cooking originating in Louisiana (centered on the Greater New Orleans area) which is a melting pot cuisine that blends French, Spanish, Canarian, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Deep Southern American, Indian, and African influences.  Christina is a rare example of Creole Asia, or Cajun Asian.
CRESCENT CITY
New Orleans is nicknamed The Crescent City, and a crescent, or crescent and star, is used to represent the city officially. The origin is the crescent shape of the old city, hugging the East Bank of the Mississippi River.
FAIS DO DO (FAY DOE DOE)
The name for a party where traditional Cajun dance is performed. This phrase literally means “to make sleep,” although the parties are the liveliest of occasions with food, music, and dancing. For authentic Fais do do in New Orleans, try Mulate’s on 201 Julia Street in the French Quarter.
DRESSED
When ordering a po boy or sandwich “dressed” this will indicate that there will be lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mayo on it.
FLEUR DE LIS (Fler Da Lee)
means flower of the lilly. This stylized lily has traditionally been used to represent French royalty. It signifies perfection, light and life. The Fleur De Lis, while popular before Hurricane Katrina, then grew in popularity even more afterwards. The emblem then became the symbol of the city. The fleur de lis is recognizable sign to those who are far away from home as well as for those trying to rebuild and come back. The storm torn city has a visual symbol of New Orleans to hold close to their hearts. The Fleur De Lis became an unspeakable common ground for all those who love the big easy.
GO CUP
A paper or plastic cup for consumption of alcoholic beverages out on the street, as open glass containers (and cans too, I think) are illegal.
JOIE DE VIVRE (zhwa-d-veev)
 An attitude towards life
LAGNIAPPE (Lan Yap)
A little something extra. Lagniappe is when your butcher gives you a pound and two ounces of hot sausages but only charges you for a pound, or when the waiter at your favorite restaurant brings you an extra dessert or something, and doesn’t charge you. Lagniappe breeds good will, friendship and most importantly,return business. Also, “Lagniappe” is the name of the entertainment pull-out section of the Friday edition of The New Orleans Times-Picayune.
LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER
means Let the Good Times Roll. It strongly conveys the joy of the living attitude that pervades south Louisiana; it is mostly associated with New Orleans.
MAIS LA (May la)
means, “I can’t believe it.” Actual french phrase used frequently by Cajuns
MARDI GRAS (Mar D Gra)
Also known as Fat Tuesday or Carnival. It is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple (symbolic of justice), green (symbolic of faith) and gold (symbolic of power).
“N’AWLINS”
short for “New Orleans”–It’s faster that way!
SHA
Cajun for “cute” or “dear”
SHOT GUN HOUSE
Usually part of a “double”–a single row house in which all rooms on one side are connected by a long single hallway–you can open the front door and shoot a gun straight through the back door, without hitting a single wall…now I have no idea who has tried this, or even why this is the way one describes these houses!
THE PARISH
Louisiana has Parishes not Counties, but this often refers to Chalmette, a suburb outside New Orleans.
TCHOUPITOULAS STREET (Chop a two’ les)
Interesting street name …. one of the trickiest to pronounce – and spell!
UPTOWN (uhp’ tawn)
Area “upriver” from the French Quarter.  Try taking the streetcar along St. Charles for a beautiful scenic tour of the New Orleans architecture.
VIEUX CARRE
means Old Square and is the French name for the French Quarter.
YAT
Standard greeting–(“Where yat?” is “Hello, how are you doing?”)–a “yat” is also used to describe a homeboy, pisano, bro’
ZYDECO (zi-de-co)
A relatively new kind of Creole dance music that is a combination of traditional Cajun dance music, R&B, and African blues.