If you find yourself down in the Bayou State, don’t be surprised if you overhear some unusual dialogue. You’re not going crazy; you’re just talking to a Cajun.

In the mid-18th Century, French colonists settled in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, just above the tip of what is now Maine. These settlers, known as the Acadians, were soon exiled by the British and found refuge in Southern Louisiana, with its already-strong French heritage. The Acadians eventually became known as "Cajuns" and developed their own distinct lifestyle and dialect, now known as Cajun French.

So go ahead, have a little lagniappe (see definition below). Try out some of these Cajun French words and phrases when you’re in Baton Rouge. Locals may laugh, but we guarantee they’ll love it!

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