Southern Is As Southern Does...

Inspired by true southern gems, today’s blog is a look at what it’s like to be a true Louisianan. Big thanks to G.R.I.T.S. Jamie, Johnette, Melissa, and a few old sayings we carry along with our traditions.


Louisiana girls know:

1. Yes ma’am and sir are part of the daily language, not just manners.

2. ‘Fixin’ dinner is the same as cooking it, just like ‘Fixin’ to go to the store is the same as ‘about to’.

3. Distance is measured in time…it takes forty-five minutes to get to N’awlins, who cares how far it is.

4. It’s not a shopping cart, it’s a BUGGY.

5. You know that if it grows it sticks, and if it crawls or flies it bites.

6. The main spices in your kitchen are Tony’s Chachere’s, Slap Yo Mama, Tabasco, cayenne, crab boil, salt, and black pepper.

7. You didn’t learn until later in life that “When the Saints Go Marching In” is a religious song and NOT about the New Orleans football team.

8. Beignets and chicory are breakfast…any time of the day.

9. You thought Mardi Gras was a national holiday until you traveled out of state.

10. You describe the first cold snap (below 70⁰) as gumbo weather.

11. A carbonated soft drink is not a soda or a pop, it’s a coke…regardless of what flavor; i.e. “What kind of coke do you want?”

12. Bouree' (boo-ray) is not a Cajun food, it’s a popular Cajun card game, sometimes called "Cajun Bridge"

13. Boudin however IS a Cajun food, it’s sausage made with pork and rice

14. Cher (sha) is a term of endearment or "my sweet", not a movie star/singer.

15. Cochon de lait (coo-shon duh lay) is a pig roast…not a coffee.

16. Pirogue (pee-row not Perot) is a Cajun canoe, not some big-eared politician with too much money.

17. Hush Puppies…it’s food not a shoe.

18. A parrish is the same thing as a county, only better.

19. Playin’ opossum didn’t mean you were pretending to be sick, it was a game we played as teenagers out in the woods with 4-wheel drives and spotlights.

20. Lagniappe (lan yap) is an old Creole word for "something extra"…there’s always lagniappe in Louisiana ;-)