15 Silly Sayings That Will Only Make Sense If You’re From Louisiana

You may have grown up with some of these sayings your entire life. Maybe some are brand new to you. But if you say some of these silly sayings outside of Louisiana, you may raise a few eyebrows. How many of these Louisiana sayings have you said before?

1. Make Groceries

No, you won’t literally be making them. This funny phrase just means you need to go to the grocery store.

2. Dressed

No, we’re not talking about your clothes. In Louisiana, this phrase is referring to how you’d like your po’boy: with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and mayo.

3. Save the dishes

Put them away, or do the dishes. You may have also heard "save the clothes" which means the same thing.

4. Pass a good time

Having a great time!

5. Fixin’ To

As in, "I’m fixing to eat some of that gumbo…"

6. Minou

You may have heard this word if you’re deep in Cajun Country, and it refers to a cat.

7. Laissez les bon temps rouler.

Let the good times roll!

8. Pinch the tail and suck the head

Crawfish eating 101.

9. Lagniappe

It means "a little something extra". Like when you purchase something at a store and they throw in some free samples.

10. Throw me somethin’, Mister!

You’ll hear this phrase around Mardi Gras from spectators at parades hoping to catch some beads from the people on the floats.

11. Envie

You’ve got an envie if you’re craving something.

12. Gris Gris

This voodoo term is used to describe a curse.

13. Cher

A term traditionally used to by Cajuns that’s similar to calling someone "love" or "dear".

14. Neutral Ground

Everywhere else, it’s called a median, but in New Orleans, the grassy area diving the streets is referred to at the neutral ground.

15. Fais-do-do

A good old fashioned Cajun dance party! The phrase literally means "to go to sleep" and it originated from dance parties lasting so late that the children in attendance would fall asleep at the party.

How many phrases are you guilty of saying? Can you add to the list? Add any other silly sayings in the comments below, and maybe we'll do a part two!