18 Words And Phrases Only True New Orleanians Know

Think you know everything about the Crescent City? Well, first off, did you know New Orleans is known as the Crescent City?

1. Second Line

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The term "second line" refers to the people who follow behind a brass band and dance to the music as they parade one block at a time. Second lines have a rich history in New Orleans and are used to commemorate weddings, festivals, and deaths.

2. Neutral Ground

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The "neutral ground" on a street refers to the empty strips of land that separate one side of the street from the other. The term originates from a dispute between Anglophone Americans and Creole inhabitants of New Orleans.

3. Faubourg

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A faubourg is a suburb, typically found on the outer edges of Paris. Because of New Orleans' French influence, its suburbs were also called "faubourgs." As the city expanded in size, the faubourgs became part of the city.

4. Lagniappe

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This is something extra that is given, such as a gift, a piece of advice, or some additional information.

5. Parish

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Whereas the rest of the states in the United States have counties that divide up their cities, Louisiana is divided into "parishes." The term is derived from the French and Spanish colonists who split up the lands based on their individual religious parishes.

6. Rougarou

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The Rougarou is a lycanthrope cryptid from Cajun folklore that is said to prowl the swamps of Louisiana. Its legend was used to scare children into behaving. Rougarou was also in the running to be the name of the New Orleans' NBA team, but the team ultimately decided on being the Pelicans.

7. Po' Boy

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The po' boy began as an inexpensive sandwich invented by Clovis and Benjamin Martin constructed of gravy and roast beef to sell to railroad workers who were on strike. Nowadays, po' boys come with a variety of fillings, such as crab and shrimp.

8. Dressed

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When you want something dressed in New Orleans, that means you want it topped with mayonnaise, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and pickles. Some sandwiches come dressed automatically, so make sure you read the menu thoroughly unless you want mayonnaise on your meatball sub.

9. Sno-Ball

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A sno-ball is completely different than a snow cone. A sno-ball features ice that is shaved down to snow-like flakes, then packed and topped with fruit syrup. Some variations include condensed milk.

10. Cher

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When people around New Orleans say "cher," it's not because they're great fans of the singer/actress. "Cher" is actually the French word for "dear."

11. Carnival

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Despite what you may think, Mardi Gras is only one day. The rest of the celebrations occur during Carnival season, which is much like the Brazilian Carnival season.

12. Krewe

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Mardi Gras Krewes are the groups of people that get together to construct the floats. They also ride in the floats and throw the prizes out to the crowds. Those that throw the prizes are called "maskers."

13. Go Cup

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Yes, one of the lovely parts about living in New Orleans is the ability to take your drink and go. But there are still laws that prevent you from drinking from an open glass container. A "go cup" is a plastic cup you pour your drink into when leaving a bar to walk around the French Quarter.

14. Pirogue

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A pirogue is a long and narrow boat New Orleanians like to use to float along the Bayou St. John on the sunniest of days.

15. Praline

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A praline is not actually a nut. Grocery stores all over the country carry pralines, which are just pecans covered in sugar. In New Orleans, pralines are more intricate. They are pecans or almonds smashed together and covered in condensed milk and other types of confections to create a candy.

16. Shotgun

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A shotgun is a narrow house where all the rooms line up in a row. The origins of the name have been debated, where one side believes the term comes from the fact a bullet from a shotgun could travel from the front of the house to the back of the house without being stopped, while the other side believes it is a misinterpretation of the Dahomey Foy term for "place of assembly," which is "togun."

17. Remoulade

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Unlike aioli, which actually isn't mayonnaise, remoulade is a mayonnaise-based condiment made from various herbs such as chopped pickles, mustard, and parsley. It is a popular dipping sauce from shrimp and other fried foods.

18. Where Y'at?

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If someone asks you "Where y'at?" in New Orleans, they're not asking about your physical location. "Where y'at?" means "How are you?" So if you tell them literally where you are located, you'll be met with a dumbfounded stare.