Here in New Orleans, it can seem like we have our own language. From the pronunciation of our streets to the names of some of our dishes, it can be a little tricky for newcomers to catch on. In case you’re new to this lovely city, here are some vocabulary words you’ll need to know to live here.
- Dressed
Malcolm Bedell/Flickr Anywhere else, and this word means something totally different. Down here, it’s shorthand for how you’d like your po’boy: with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
- Snowball
Priscilla C./Trip Advisor If you’re a northern transplant, you may have a different idea of what a snowball is. Other states may refer to this as a snow cone, but the super-fine shaved ice is what really sets snowballs apart.
- Neutral Ground
Wikimedia Pretty much everyone else in the country calls the green space a median, but not in NOLA!
- Lagniappe
Nola.Agent/Flickr Just a fun little phrase we say that means “a little something extra.”
- Who Dat
Praline3001/Flickr Our war cry when it comes to the Saints. If you’re going to live here—especially during football season—you’ll hear this chant all the time.
- Laissez les bon temps rouler
Tom Pumphret/Flickr Honestly, you won’t hear many locals just shout this too often, but it means “let the good times roll.”
- Krewe
Miguel Discart/Flickr During Mardi Gras, each parade has their own krewe with their own theme, throws, court, and ball.
What are some other vocabulary words you’d add to the list? Shout them out in the comments below!
Malcolm Bedell/Flickr
Anywhere else, and this word means something totally different. Down here, it’s shorthand for how you’d like your po’boy: with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
Priscilla C./Trip Advisor
If you’re a northern transplant, you may have a different idea of what a snowball is. Other states may refer to this as a snow cone, but the super-fine shaved ice is what really sets snowballs apart.
Wikimedia
Pretty much everyone else in the country calls the green space a median, but not in NOLA!
Nola.Agent/Flickr
Just a fun little phrase we say that means “a little something extra.”
Praline3001/Flickr
Our war cry when it comes to the Saints. If you’re going to live here—especially during football season—you’ll hear this chant all the time.
Tom Pumphret/Flickr
Honestly, you won’t hear many locals just shout this too often, but it means “let the good times roll.”
Miguel Discart/Flickr
During Mardi Gras, each parade has their own krewe with their own theme, throws, court, and ball.
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