Cajun-French Glossary

boudin – Cajun dish that consists of rice, spices, onions, ground pork, and pork liver in a sausage casing; a complete meal, served at nearly every gas station or small grocery store in Louisiana; known as the “breakfast of champions” in South Louisiana

ça va, ma jolie fille – “It’s going all right, my beautiful daughter.”

caleçons – underwear

canaille – mischievous; tricky; sneaky

cher – a term of endearment like, dear, baby, or sweetheart

Comme ça va? – “How’s it going?”

fâché – angry; annoyed

frissons – shivers; chills

honte – shy; embarrassed

Je ne suis pas gâté. – “I’m not spoiled.”

mais – all-purpose Cajun expression/interjection (literal French translation – well, but)

mais la – expression similar to “Oh, well”; “I can’t even”; “Well, shit”

mais, cher – “oh, dear”; “well, darling”

n’oncle – uncle

pas bon – not good; bad; naughty; cheeky

pauvre bête – expression meaning “poor thing” or “Bless your heart”

roux – dark-brown flour base used for gumbo and Cajun stew; commonly packaged and sold in jars throughout South Louisiana

tasso – smoked pork meat, usually made from shoulder cuts; a staple in most dishes, including gumbo and sauce piquante; complements smoked sausage

tête dure – hard-headed; stubborn