Cajun French Phrases

Common expressions you might hear around Lafayette:

C'est tout (Say too): That's all.

Fais-do-do (Fay doe doe): A dance. Literally "go to sleep" - a phrase whispered by French-speaking Cajuns to their children so the parents could join in the dancing.

Cher (Sha): Dear (a term of endearment).

Merci (Mare see): Thanks.

Pauve ti bete (Pove tee bet): Poor little thing.

Ça c'est bon (Sa say bohn): That's good.

Tante (Taunt): Aunt.

Nonc (Nonk): Uncle.

Lagniappe (Lahn yop): Something extra.

Boucherie (Boo sher ee): Pig roast.

Joie de vivre (Jhwa da veev): Joy of living.

Laissez les bon temps rouler (Lay say lay bohn tohn roo lay): Let the good times roll.

Allons (Al lohn): Let's go.

Lache pas la patate (Losh pa la pa tot): Don't let go of the potato or don't give up (a testament to the enduring spirit of the Cajun people).

Fais Do-Do (go to sleep)

Fais Do-Do

A communal dance held traditionally in rural dancehalls, the fais do-do attracted Cajun men, women, and children for long evenings of dancing and socializing. Adolescent girls attended under chaperons' watchful eyes, while young males were often restricted to a holding pen called une cage aux chiens, or "dogs’ cage" (unless they were dancing). Children were put to bed at the dance, giving rise to the term fais do-do (meaning "go to sleep" in Cajun French). Like earlier bals de maison, the fais do-do not only provided a source of entertainment, but a sense of community, and an opportunity for courtship. Often fais do-dos attracted young Cajun males bent on fighting — a traditional rite of passage and form of amusement for some. Popular dances at fais do-dos were the two-step and waltz, which along with newer Cajun dance styles like the jitterbug and shuffle still exist today. The fais do-do survives in Acadiana largely as an attraction at regional festivals, and it is usually held in public areas like parks and civic arenas. A commercialized version of the fais do-do also survives at Cajun restaurants that feature live Cajun music, such as Randol’s in Lafayette or Mulate’s in Breaux Bridge. Since the 1980s Cajun dancing has been popular worldwide, with particularly large followings on the east and west coasts (where dancers form clubs called "krewes," a word that generally describes groups of Mardi gras revelers).

1st You Make A Roux Part II- Gumbo

Gumbo: Chicken and Sausage

Chicken and sausage gumbo is a Cajun favorite, and although available in restaurants year-round, it is particularly popular as a homemade dish during the wintertime. Making a gumbo can be time-consuming (the roux alone can take about thirty minutes to prepare), but the final product is well worth the wait.

Ingredients:

Roux (oil and flour)
3 14½ oz. cans chicken broth
2 small onions
1 bell pepper
3 cloves garlic
3 stalks celery
Black pepper

Salt

Cayenne pepper
Filé (ground sasafras)
1½ lb chicken - seasoned
1 sausage link (about 1 to 2 lbs)
green onions
rice

As the saying goes, "First, you make a roux." Once this is done, in a large pot combine the cooled roux with chicken broth, then add water until the mixture reaches one inch from the top of the pot. Boil for 30 minutes, skimming occasionally to remove grease. Add chopped vegetables, and boil for another 30 minutes. Add seasonings, and meat (cut chicken, sliced sausage), and boil for 60 to 90 minutes, skimming to remove grease. Serve over rice, and garnish with chopped green onions. (By the way, leftover gumbo is almost always better than freshly made gumbo.) If Cajun sausage is unavailable in your area, try smoked sausage as a substitute. This recipe makes about 25 to 30 bowls of gumbo.

Note:

Some people like to add file powder (a thickening agent, pronounced "fee-lay") to the gumbo. If you do, start with a tablespoonful or two, added after the gumbo has cooked. If you add too much, or if you cook the file powder for a while, the gumbo will become gummy.

PooPooism #9

First You Make A Roux (roo)

Roux is an important basic ingredient in many Cajun dishes. Although it can be purchased at stores by the jar (in south Louisiana, at least), or made quickly in a microwave, the best way to prepare roux is the old-fashioned way: on the stove in a skillet. Despite the recipe's simplicity, it can take thirty minutes or longer to prepare. The key to making a good roux is to brown the flour slowly until it appears a dark copper color. But be careful — even a slightly burnt roux will ruin a dish. Although some variations exist among types of rouxs, the most common, basic recipe appears below:

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup vegetable oil

Combine the oil and flour in a skillet, and stir constantly over a medium flame. The roux should begin to congeal and brown. When dark copper, like the shade of an old penny, remove the roux from the flame, and allow it to cool until warm. It now can be used as the base for a Cajun dish, such as gumbo.

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux at the car dealership!

One day Boudreaux went to the car dealership, he brought his best friend Thibodeaux along. He decide to test drive his new car first. So they were going down I-10 and Boudreaux told Thibodeaux to climb on to the trunk and see if his blinkers worked. So Thibodeaux climbed to the back and Boudreaux said "Check the left one first!," and then he turned it on. Thibodeaux said "Mais, Yes. Mais, No. Mais, Yes. Mais, No."

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux Play Golf!

Boudreaux decided to go play a game of golf with his good friends Thibodeaux and Guidry one morning. He promised Clotile that he would be home in time for lunch. Well, lunchtime came and went, and no Boudreaux. Mid afternoon came and went, still no Boudreaux. Suppertime passed, and Boudreaux finally shows up about an hour later. Clotile is, of course, just a little bit mad. "Boudreaux, where have you been ? You say you gonna be home by lunch, and here it is dark time, and you jus now gettin' home !" Boudreaux says, "Clotile, don' get on my case. My good fren, Guidry, died on de golf course dis morning." Clotile says, "Oh, Boudreaux, I'm so sorry. I can understan' now; makin' funeral arrangements for your fren, and all. I understan' why you late." Boudreaux says, "Funeral arrangements. What funeral arrangements? It was 'Hit de ball, drag Guidry. Hit de ball, drag Guidry. It took me and Thibodeaux all day to finish the game!"

Boudreaux's Birthday Present!

Thibodeaux: Boudreaux, did you get the parrot I sent you for your birthday?
Boudreaux: Yes, it was good!
Thibodeaux: You ate the bird!
Boudreaux: Of Course I ate it.
Thibodeaux: That bird spoke five different languages!
Boudreaux: Then he should have said something.

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux go hunting!

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux went hunting and got lost in the woods.
When Boudreaux began lamenting their fate, Thibodeaux said, "You know, I heard that the best thing to do if you get lost is to fire three shots in the air."
So they did that, and waited a while. When no rescue party showed up, they fired three more shots in the air.
Finally, when there was still no response, Thibodeaux said, "Well, I guess we better fire three more shots."
"OK, if you say so," said Boudreaux. "But somebody better come soon-- we're about out of arrows!"

Thibodeaux and Boudreaux At It Again!

THE NEWLYWEDS
Newlyweds Boudreaux and Marie are on their honeymoon trip from their little village on the bayou in south Louisiana. They are nearing Breaux Bridge when Boudreaux puts his hand on Marie's knee. Giggling, Marie says, "Mais, Boudreaux, we married now. You can go further than that if you want to." So Boudreaux drives on to Lafayette.

CRAWFISH 101

So how did the lowly crawfish gain such prominence in our culture? Well, actually, Native Americans in the area were the first credited with harvesting and consuming crawfish even before the Cajuns arrived on the scene. They used to bait reeds with venison (deer meat), stick them in the water and periodically pick up the reeds with crawfish attached to the bait. By using this method, the Native Americans would catch bushels of crawfish for their consumption. By the 1930s nets were substituted, and by the 1950s the now ubiquitous crawfish trap was widely used. The trap is still the current method of harvesting mudbugs.

Mrs. Charles Hebert owner of the Hebert Hotel in Breaux Bridge is credited with being the first to put crawfish on a menu in the early 1920s. By the 1930s, crawfish were seen as a good source of protein, especially for poor Cajuns, though it actually took some convincing to get the locals to eat them. Crawfish étouffée made its debut in the 1950s, and now is the quintessential Cajun dish. Étouffée is prepared in as many ways as there are Cajun cooks living in our area-each one an original.

Today, more than 1,600 farmers produce crawfish, utilizing over 111,000 acres of man-made ponds. Louisiana is the largest producer of crawfish in the world. St. Martin Parish, Breaux Bridge's home, produces the most crawfish in the state and has the most crawfish acreage in the eight-parish area known as Acadiana. Crawfish is now a multimillion-dollar industry. All of this from a relatively insignificant crustacean.

Old Boodro!

While on a road trip to PaTaSa, the elderly Boodro couple stopped at Prejeans for lunch. After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant and resumed their trip back to New Iberia. When leaving, old Mizz Boodro unknowingly left her glasses on the table and she didn't miss them until they had been driving about twenty minutes. By then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around -- in order to return to the restaurant to retrieve her glasses. All the way back, Old Boo became the classic grouchy old man. He fussed and complained and scolded his wife relentlessly during the entire return drive. The more he chided her -- the more agitated he became. He just wouldn't let up one minute! To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant. As Mizz Boo got out of the car and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, old Boo yelled to her, "Bebe, while you in dere, you might as well get muh hat and duh credit card."

Sharp Shooter from Breaux Bridge!

The best marksmen in the FBI was passing through Breaux Bridge La.. Everywhere he saw evidences of the most amazing shooting. On trees, on walls, and on fences there were numerous bull's-eyes with the bullet hole in dead center. The FBI man asked one of the townsmen if he could meet the person responsible for this wonderful marksmanship. The man turned out to be a Mr. Thibodeaux (no relation to Mary Lynn) "This is the best marksmanship I have ever seen," said the FBI man. "How in the world do you do it?" "Mais, it's nuttin to it," said Thibodeaux.. "I shoot first and draw the circles afterward."

Boudreaux

A man approached Boudreaux when he was visiting in Breaux Bridge.

"What's the quickest way to Lafayette?

Boudreaux scratched his head.

"Are you walking or driving?" he asked the stranger.

"I'm driving."

"Dat's Da quickest way!"

Poo Poo Broussard!

Steve Riley

A Cajun Quiz!

Let's test your Cajun IQ.

This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of the Cajun culture

and includes 26 multiple-choice questions.

You can take the quiz by filling out this form.

If you include your e-mail address, the quiz will be automatically

"graded" with the results immediately returned to you via e-mail.

http://www.lafourche.k12.la.us/teymard/cajunquiz/

Marriage Counseling Cajun Style!

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux are quietly sitting in a boat fishing,

chewing and drinking beer when suddenly Boudreaux says,

"I think I'm going to divorce my wife --

she hasn't spoken to me in over 2 months."

"Thibodeaux spits, sips his beer and says,

"You better think it over -- womenlike that are hard to find."

Peggy Sue Boodro!

It's the summer of 1956 and young Thibodeaux (tibodo) goes to pick up his date, Peggy Sue Boudreaux (boodro).
Thibodeaux is a pretty hip guy with his own car, a duck tail hairdo and white loafers..
When he goes to the front door, Peggy Sue's father, Boodro, answers and invites him in. "Peggy Sue's not ready yet, so why don't you haff a seat?"
Boodro asks the young man what they're planning to do.
Young Thib politely said that they will probably just go to the malt shop or to a drive-in movie.
Boodro responds, "Why don't you kids go out an' screw? Ah hear all duh kids are doin' it!"
Naturally this comes as quite a surprise to Thibodeaux and he says, "Whaaaat?"
"Yeah," says Boo, "We know Peggy Sue really likes ta' screw! Mais, she'd screw all night if we let her!"
Thibodeaux's eyes light up and he smiles from ear to ear. Immediately, he has revised the plans for the evening. A few minutes later, Peggy Sue comes downstairs in her little poodle skirt with her saddle shoes, and announces that she's ready to go.
Almost breathless with anticipation, Thibodeaux escorts his date out the front door while Boo is saying, "Have a good evening kids," with a wink for young Thib..
About 20 minutes later, a thoroughly disheveled Peggy Sue rushes back into the house, slams the door behind her and screams at Boodro....
"DAD! It's duh TWIST! It's called duh TWIST!!"

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