What are you if you are from Louisiana? (New Orleans, Lake Charles: to move, title)

[mdmagana]

Since I am looking to move that way, Louisiana has been the topic of conversation at dinner the last few nights. An interesting question came up... What are you if you are from Louisiana?

For example, someone from California is a Californian, someone from New Mexico is a New Mexican, etc... What is the correct term for someone from Louisiana?

Louisianian? Louisian? Neither of those sounded right to me. My mom says say Cajun, but I thought Cajuns were their own group within Louisiana's population. Sorry if this seems like a really dumb question, but it has been on my mind for a couple of days.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by mdmagana

Since I am looking to move that way, Louisiana has been the topic of conversation at dinner the last few nights. An interesting question came up... What are you if you are from Louisiana?

For example, someone from California is a Californian, someone from New Mexico is a New Mexican, etc... What is the correct term for someone from Louisiana?

Louisianian? Louisian? Neither of those sounded right to me. My mom says say Cajun, but I thought Cajuns were their own group within Louisiana's population. Sorry if this seems like a really dumb question, but it has been on my mind for a couple of days.

Your first guess is the right one "Louisianaians" - it'll roll off your tongue a little better after you get used to it.

For the record, you are right about Cajuns - they are direct descendents of the French people exiled from Nova Scotia in the 1700's. Although many of us from Louisiana would love to be able to consider ourselves Cajun, most of us aren't that lucky

[Drouzin]

Not a dumb question at all, Mdmagana. It has me wondering about what others call their towns. For example Mom is from the Bunkie area, what do people from Bunkie call themselves?

[mdmagana]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

Your first guess is the right one "Louisianaians" - it'll roll off your tongue a little better after you get used to it.

For the record, you are right about Cajuns - they are direct descendents of the French people exiled from Nova Scotia in the 1700's. Although many of us from Louisiana would love to be able to consider ourselves Cajun, most of us aren't that lucky

Thakns for the feedback. That does not roll off my tounge easily at all! LOL. I'll get used to it I guess.

[volkerm]

Creoles, Cajuns, Rednecks, & Coonass, Are All Popular Titles That Different Types Of Louisianians Use To Describe Themselves.

[sonjarrn]

Originally Posted by mdmagana

Since I am looking to move that way, Louisiana has been the topic of conversation at dinner the last few nights. An interesting question came up... What are you if you are from Louisiana?

For example, someone from California is a Californian, someone from New Mexico is a New Mexican, etc... What is the correct term for someone from Louisiana?

Louisianian? Louisian? Neither of those sounded right to me. My mom says say Cajun, but I thought Cajuns were their own group within Louisiana's population. Sorry if this seems like a really dumb question, but it has been on my mind for a couple of days.

People in South Louisiana are usually Cajuns, Creoles or Coonasses. I have cousins in Lake Charles and Hackberry and we call them Coonasses.. Don't know where that word originated but thats what they are called. People of the Northern region of Louisiana are a little different in lifestyles and accent when speaking,, like two different states. The North are more country and some call themselves rednecks. We are all Louisianians and our hospitality to our fellow Americans is well, just plain Southern hospitality.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by sonjarrn

People in South Louisiana are usually Cajuns, Creoles or Coonasses. I have cousins in Lake Charles and Hackberry and we call them Coonasses.. Don't know where that word originated but thats what they are called. People of the Northern region of Louisiana are a little different in lifestyles and accent when speaking,, like two different states. The North are more country and some call themselves rednecks. We are all Louisianians and our hospitality to our fellow Americans is well, just plain Southern hospitality.

I hate to be a stickler for details, but these are important details!

As I stated earlier, “Cajuns” are direct descendents of the French people exiled from Nova Scotia in the 1700’s – the Acadians.

Creoles are people of mixed ethnicity who are direct descendents of slaves who bought their freedom and then married amongst the Spanish and Portuguese settlers to New Orleans during the 1700 and early 1800’s.

Coonass is a nickname, derogatory to some Cajuns – enjoyed by others. But there is no such ethic group by this name.

Believe me, there are plenty of other ethnic groups in Louisiana - not everyone is lucky enough to be a Cajun or a Creole

[Drouzin]

"Coonass is a nickname, derogatory to some Cajuns"

Ooh did this nic bother my Dad! I guess it's because back in the late 1800's when my Great Grandmother moved to the city Cajuns were made fun of as hick country folk. I was called a Coonass in a derogatory way once, believe me not only was it a shocker, it was very offensive. After that I understood why Dad didn't like the term.

[Mississippienne]

"Coonass" or "Coony" is kinda funny, because some Cajuns hate it and others love it. I met a Cajun woman the other day who insisted on being called a coonass, so it's really a personal thing.

[Vampgrrl]

Creole from what I can tell is not a definite term.
Some say it's mixed Spanish and African heritage, French/African or originally it was just French heritage no African?
I cannot tell and I'm taking a Louisiana history class at Tulane right now.