bayou: \BUY-you\n. a French name for slow-moving "river"
beignet: \ben-YAY\n. a tasty French donut without a hole
boudin: \boo-DAN\n. a Cajun sausage filled with meat and rice
chank-a-chank: \say it just how it looks\n. rollicking Cajun music
cochon de lait: \ko-SHAWN-da-LAY\n. a gathering to roast a pig over a blazing fire
etouffee: \ay-too-FAY\n. crawfish or shrimp in a delightfully spicy sauce
fais-do-do: \fay-dough-DOUGH\n. street dance
gumbo: \GUM-bo\n. a hearty traditional Cajun stew thickened with file or okra
joie de vivre: \ZHWA-da-VEEV\n. "joy of living"
Kisatchie: \ki-SAT-chee\n. a 600,000 acre plus National Forest in north and central Louisiana
krewe: \crew\n. an organization that puts on Mardi Gras balls and parades
lagniappe: \LAHN-yap\n. something extra
laissez les bons temps rouler: \LESS-aylay-BOHN-tom-RULE-ay\Let the good times roll!
muffaletta: \muff-a-LOT-a\n. a large sandwich of Italian meats and marinated olive salad
parish: \PAHR-ish\n. county
pirogue: \pee-ROGUE\n. a Cajun fishing boat originally made from a dugout cypress log
roux: \roo\n. seasoned flour browned in a skillet
rue: \roo\n. street
two-steppin': a traditional Cajun dance similar to a polka
Vieux Carre: \vyuh-kah-RAY\n. the French name for the French Quarter; it means "Old Square"
zydeco: \ZIE-da-ko\n. African-American and Cajun heritage meet in music highlighted by the accordian and the washboard