A few terms and abbreviations

 Louisiana Cajun Flag                                                                                                                                                                           Louisiana State Flag

The pillaging and destruction of Grandpre, Acadie in 1755.  The only possessions allowed to the Acadians had to fit on their laps.  Paintings by Claude Picard.

It can be seen that there is little use for the minions of the 3 King Georges, here.  Modern Brits are delightful folks.  I am very grateful for the friendship of many of them.

Those who forget the mistakes and lessons of history are condemned to repeat them.  The most important lesson is to bear no grudges against those injustices inflicted against our forebears.  Old grudges and hatreds will only place artificial limits on your own happiness and success in life.  After all, the past "is history."  Get over it.

Acadia - Acadie (Ah-kah-dee), see Acadian.  French colonial territory consisting of modern Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine, Prince Edward Island and the near surrounding small islands.  It was claimed by France in 1524.  Permanent settlement began ca. 1604 and its destruction by the British began in 1755 and was completed in 1758. The Nova Scotia portion, except Ile Royale, (Cape Breton Is.) was conquered by the British in 1711 (Queen Anne's War).  The Acadians in Nova Scotia pledged allegiance to the Crown, with the condition that they would never be required to fight against the French or Indians,  The Nova Scotian Acadians became known as the French Neutrals.  The British violated the treaty and humanity, in 1755.  They imprisoned the Acadians into scattered concentration camps and burned their homes, churches and public buildings. Virginia was the only British colony that refused to host a concentration camp to imprison Acadians.  For those who like pictures, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMltZooNMBc&feature=related

Two leading candidates for the origin of the name:

Legend says that Giovanni Verazzano, exploring for France in 1524, saw the land, claimed it for France and called it Arcadia, after the mythical Greek utopia.

Another legend says that Basque fishing fleets had been catching cod fish and drying them in Acadia since the 1300s.  They called the land "La Cad-ie."  Cad was the Algonquin Micmaque Indian word for cod fish.  The "ie" suffix in French implies "land of",  hence, la cadie (la-kahd-ie), "the land of the cod fish."  I prefer the latter

NB: Those Basque fishermen of legend did not settle in Acadia.  Basque country was roughly the old Kingdom of Navarre, on the Bay of Biscay that straddled the present day western French-Spanish border,  Biscay = Vizcaya in Spanish.

Acadian – The 1600s through 1758, primarily French, settlers of Acadie/Acadia.  Between 1755 and 1758, a vast majority of Acadians were thrown into scattered British concentration camps or deported to France in leaky cattle boats (at least 1 sank), after the concentration camps were full,  At their release from the concentration camps, circa 1763, fewer than half were still alive. For people living today, the term Acadian refers to one who had an ancestor born in French Colonial Acadia.  Steven A. Cormier estimates that almost 2900 Acadians came to Louisiana between 1764 and the very early 1800s.  About half arrived in 1785.

Acadian prisoners at a seaport in England, awaiting escort to a concentration camp, by Robert Dafford.

Acadiana - A large area around the towns of St.Martinville, Lafayette and Opelousas in S.Central Louisiana. It is not to be confused with Acadia or the Acadian Coast.  It was settled by Acadians originally brought to the Acadian Coast after 1764.  The Acadian Coast was a land good for farming, trapping, hunting and fishing.   Those who preferred ranching (many were Acadians from what is now New Brunswick) soon moved west to the Acadiana area.  Farming, trapping and fishing were good there, too.

Acadian Coast - The area along the Mississippi River (St.James, Assumption, Ascension and part of Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana) settled by Acadian refugees, many given Spanish land-grants, primarily between 1764 and 1785.  Over 1000 Acadian refugees from the British New World concentration camps found their way to the Acadian Coast and Acadiana by the 1770s.  Over 1500 more came in "The Seven Acadian Expeditions of 1785", from France financed by Spain.

Acadia Parish, LA - One of many modern Louisiana Civil Parishes (counties). It is located just west of the modern city of Lafayette and is considered a part of Acadiana.  Not to be confused with Acadia, the 17th and 18th Centuries French Colony in the Canadian Maritime Provinces and Maine.

ASC - Ascension Parish, LA (a Louisiana civil parish = a county.  Parish abbreviations, when used, are those published by Rev. Donald J. Hebert)

ASM - Assumption Parish. LA

b. – born or baron, depending on context. (baron is also abbreviated brn.)

Bourgalie – (spelled in various ways) pronounced Boo-gah-lee. Contrary to conventional wisdom, this term had nothing to do with Cajuns.  The term was Creole originated and referred to the French settlers from the Illinois territory area, who fled south from the British invasions during the French and Indian War (1755-1763). Many of these refugees resettled around Pointe Coupee and Avoyelles Parishes, Louisiana, joining the Creoles already there.  A sort of equivalent English term would be "river-rat."  Depending on context, the term usage can range from an endearment to an insult.  An analogous example: greeting a dear friend “Hey, you old SoB !”  Or, in contrast, “You’re an f-ing SoB !”

Cabanocey - (various spellings,  kah-bah-no-say) Original 1764 Acadian settlement on the Acadian Coast. St.James Parish, Louisiana near the Mississippi River. 

It was near the Cantrelle-Verret and the d'Hautrive plantations.  Many Creoles, especially Verret and d'Hautrive, helped the Acadians establish their farms.  Help  consisted of climate, environment and agricultural advice and the loan of tools, seed, supplies, transportation and livestock. The major gift was friendship, after the Acadians' long exile in hostile territories. The book "Cabanocey" by Lillian C. Bourgeois, Pelican Pub., reprint 1987, Gretna, LA, is highly recommended reading.

Cajun  - derived from Acadian/Acadien (fem. Acadienne).  The native Louisiana French Creoles pronounced Acadien as ‘Kadien (the French “di” is pronounced a bit like an English  “j”, giving Kah-jawnh), when Acadians began arriving in Louisiana after 1763.  When the Americans came, after 1803, “Cajun” was as close as they would come to the Creole pronunciation.  This is a neutral term, though most Cajuns view it as a complement that you are perceptive enough to notice.  See Acadian.  Technically, to be a Cajun, you need at least one ancestor who settled in French Colonial Acadia/Acadie (1600s to 1758) and had a descendant who settled in Louisiana from whom you descend, regardless of your race, color or creed.  In practice, you can be a Cajun if you really, really want to be.  Having Creole, German Coast and Isleno or immigrant ancestors, also, does not disqualify you to be a Cajun. They are not mutually exclusive, you can be all of the above.  For those interested

in Cajun history, families and genealogy, the following web sites are highly recommended as places to start:

http://acadian-cajun.com/acadiancajun.htm  (there, you will find much information and links to other recommended sites by Tim Hebert.)

http://www.acadiansingray.com/  (Wow!  The site by Steven Cormier is much more than its name implies. Don't miss it!) 

http://www.acadianmelancon.com  (history, genealogy and links)                                                                                                                                                       

cht. - chatelaine - the lord or commandant of a castle.

Coat-of-arms -  Beware of charlatans and the uninformed, who call these "Family Crests" and try to sell them as applying to your surname.  There is no such thing as a "Family Crest" (nor a family coat-of-arms) for a surname in heraldry.  The correct heraldic definition of a "crest" is a decorative object affixed to the top of a knight's helmet.  A coat-of-arms applied to an individual and in some cases to his descendants.  To determine if a coat-of-arms is associated with your family, you must first do your genealogy, then determine if your ancestor possessed that coat-of-arms.  However, there is no harm (for Americans) in pretending that a coat-of-arms is yours.  There are many books on the subject of heraldry at most libraries.  A coat-of-arms can legitimately be called arms, a blason or shield, but never a crest.  If you just must have a coat-of-arms, you may design your own.  It will be more authentic and better than an erroneously called "Family Crest" for sale.  There are library books on the "design your own" topic, too.  The shape of the shield was a fashion and not a rule.  Women's shields were often oval or diamond shaped.  The documented Coat-of-Arms of Charles Latour, an early governor of Acadia, and ancestor of many Cajuns is shown at right.

Coonass – Anglicized version of a Parisian slang insult.  There is no association of this term with the anatomy of a furry little creature.  It stems from a Parisian derogatory slang term, connasse (cone-nahs), for the Acadians deported by the British to France in 1758-1759 after the New World concentration camps were full.  Acadians were frontiersmen and did not know how to function in Europe.  By the end of 1785, most of those Acadians and their descendants had left France.  The most

notable exodus was "The Seven Acadian Expeditions of 1785" to Louisiana.  It was financed by Spain to increase the Louisiana population (by over 1500). The 

original meaning of the Parisian slang term, connasse, was something like "an unwashed prostitute who had skipped her monthly health inspection.”  Some say

that this slang insult and application originated later.  Depending on context, the modern term usage can range from an endearment to an insult.

Crawfish Boil -   This is not a painful disease.  Rather, it is a S, Louisiana joyous social event.  The hosts/hostesses boil sacks of spicy crayfish (mud-bugs, crawfish).  It is a Cajun/Creole picnic usually conducted out in the back yard.  Often, potatos, corn, artichokes, whole garlic and sausage are thrown in the pot.  Cayenne pepper is a key ingredient. Guests sit around and eat while all imbibe beverages of their choice.  Discussions range from the origins of the Universe, the meaning of life to Cajun jokes (the usual hero is Boudreaux).  Also, old folks tell youngsters how much tougher life was in "the good old days."  Blonde jokes give Boudreaux a run for his money.

Creole – This word was coined by the French from the Spanish word Crillo/criollo around 1600. Criollo literally meant native born.  The root word was Latin for create.  Parisians used “Creole” to refer to one born in a French possession in the New World, with a colonial French, Spanish or Portuguese ancestor (south of Canada, Canadians were Quebecois or Acadien).  Again, contrary to some conventional wisdom, the term Creole had nothing to do with having a Black ancestor or lack thereof.  To be a Creole you need a colonial French, Spanish or Portuguese colonial ancestor.  For example, Marie Laveau and her descendants are Creoles due to her colonial French ancestors, not her Black ones.  Again, the term Creole has no race, color nor creed connotations but is based on ethnic origin.  Creole is a neutral term, but most Creoles carry it with pride.  This is the original meaning of the term "Creole."  Arguments over modern misusages of the word are best conducted at a crawfish boil.

Parisians were and are the French politically correct.  If you were French and weren't Parisian, you were provincial.  Even if Parisian, if you were from the wrong side of the river (left bank), you were gauche (left).

Crescent City - The nickname of New Orleans, derived from its shape formed by a crescent bend in the Mississippi River.  The city was never called "The Big Easy" by natives nor the informed.  That offensive term was originated and used only by Chicago mobsters hiding from the law during the 1920s and 30s.  The phrase was popularized by Hollywood in a very bad and totally misleading, inaccurate movie a couple of decades ago.  The crescent bend in the river results in a confusing anomaly to visitors.  At the foot of Canal St. (the main street of the business district), the West Bank of the Mississippi River is east of New Orleans.  New Orleans is on the East Bank of the River.

d. – died

direct ancestor/descendant - Coupling the word direct with ancestor or descendant is redundant and annoying.  A person is either your ancestor/descendant or not, no qualifier is needed.  Such usage is equivalent to saying: "she is my direct mother" or "he is my direct grandpa" or "they are my direct grandchildren."  Maybe true, but sounds silly, doesn't it?

dm. - dame, madam - historically, a married noble lady who owned or inherited property or titles in her own right.  Approx. equivalent to masculine sgr.- seigneur or lord.  Madamoiselle - mdmsl.- equivalent of dame for an unmarried lady.

duc - duke, equivalent noble rank to herzog, duque, duca, duce, voivode (the real Vlad Dracula's title in Transylvania).  A duchy was ruled by a duke or duchess.

e. - earl, equivalent nobility rank to count (ct.), comte, conti, conte, conde, graf (gf.).  A county was ruled by a count or countess.

elect. - Elector of the Holy Roman Empire.  One of high noble rank, who could vote to elect the next Holy Roman Emperor.  Office of Emperor was for life, but not hereditary.  "It's your count that votes."

Faubourg - Creole French term for suburb.  Faubourgs were usually named after the major landowner, such as Treme, Marigny, Gentilly, etc. in colonial New Orleans.

Flags -  (see pictures at top of this page)

             Cajun Flag - the gold star on the triangular white field is the symbol of Our Lady of the Assumption, patron of Acadia.  The 3 argent/white fleurs-de-lis on blue represent Royalist France, from whence the original settlers of Acadia and Louisiana came and later gave us Lafayette, an instrument of our liberty.  The gold castle on red represents Royalist Spain, who transported many Acadians to Louisiana, the Isleños settlers that kept our inbreeding down and Gen. Bernardo de Galvez, who showed us how to kick King George III 's minions off the Gulf Coast.  France gave Louisiana to Spain in 1763, Napoleon took it back in 1803 and sold it to the U.S.  There are many ethnically Cajuns on the Louisiana bayous still surnamed Hidalgo, Guttierrez, Perez, Juncal, Martinez, Acosta, etc.  See Isleños, below.  It should be noted that the Tricolour flag of the numerous French Republics and two Empires had no association with Acadia or Acadians.  Its only association with Louisiana was the 1803 sale to the US.

             Louisiana State Flag - The pelican, piercing her breast to feed blood to her chicks, on the Louisiana flag, is an old heraldic charge.  The original heraldic motto was: "Non sibi sed suis" (Not for one's self, but for one's own. That is, take care of your family, regardless of personal cost.  If each individual would try to live by that motto, our nation will thrive beyond our wildest dreams).  The present motto, "Union, Justice, Confidence" makes a good bumper sticker.  There are some that misconstrue the original motto to mean: Not for one's self, but for one's community (or group or country, etc.).  Were that the case, the nest and chicks would be replaced by a larger pelican sucking out the blood, directly.  Never confuse self-interest with selfishness, as do some.  They are opposites.  It is usually in one's self-interest to be generous and helpful to others.  "The Golden Rule."

             U.S. Flag - Modern with eagle, shown above.  Elsewhere on this site, I know, it is a pre-1959 version, 2 stars are missing (some say 9 or more), but it is my favorite artistic rendition.  The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies and there is one star for each of the (50 at present) sovereign states.

German Coast - The area along the Mississippi River (St.Charles and St.John the Baptist Parishes, Louisiana) that was settled by ethnic Germans (not national Germans) from Alsace, Lorraine, Baden, Switzerland, Palatinate, etc. around 1720.  They were brought to Louisiana and given farm land-grants at the request of Bienville.

The French King contracted his Scots friend, John Law, to transport them.  Law embezzled much of the money intended to buy provisions and security for the voyages. 

It is estimated that almost half of the Germans died enroute as a result, but at least a thousand survived to settle in Louisiana.  One of the ships was captured

by pirates, only a few, mostly children from that ship, escaped death (such as the Schaf children). 

Celebrating October Fest is still popular in Louisiana.  Unlike the Fest in Germany that ends in the beginning of Octobet, the Fest in Louisiana begins on October 1st and lasts the entire month.  Some of the Germanic surnames underwent changes, for example: Schaf=Chauffe, Marx=Marks or Cloutier, Zwieg=LaBranche, Rommel=Rome, Buerckel=Percle or Perque, Foltz=Folse, Schweitzer=Chouest (pronounced Shwest), Troxler=Trosclair, etc. Surprisingly, some

other surnames remained largely intact like Schexnayder, Edelmeier and Belsom.

Grand Derangement - See Picard's two paintings of the Acadian town of Grandpre, above. The period from 1755 through 1758, also beginning the French and Indian War, began the diaspora.   Acadian society and families were ripped asunder by the British.  Their towns, homes, goods and churches were burned, so there was no hope of returning, vital records were lost.  The Acadians were transported in leaky cattle boats to scattered concentration camps throughout the British colonies in the New World, without regard to family.  When those camps filled, they were imprisoned in camps in Britain.  Some were sold into slavery.  The slightly less unfortunate were deported to France where frontiersmen did not know how to function.  The decimated, still living Acadians were released from the camps when war ended after 1763.  Many eventually found their way to the Louisiana frontier and thrived.  We Cajuns are the result.

H.R.Emp. - Holy Roman Emperor (or Empire, depending on context).  See elect., above.  The empire was founded ca. 800 AD by Charlemagne and from time to time, consisted of approximately Germany, Denmark, Poland, Czech, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland and parts of France, Italy, the Low Countries and the former Yugoslavia,  For most of its history it was a loose confederation of duchies.  It ceased to exist in 1806 after defeat by Napoleon.  The much smaller Austro-Hungarian Empire was its successor until 1917 during WWI.

Ile Saint Jean - A large island of French Colonial Acadia settled ca.1718, now known as Prince Edward Island.  Ile Royale (now Cape Breton Island) was the far eastern portion of present day Nova Scotia.  The British did not take those two Isles until 1758.

Isleños - ("Ease-lay-nyohs") Canary Islanders.  A large group of Spanish settlers (about 2400) who came to Louisiana under Gov. Galvez around 1778 and 1779.  Most had originally settled in the Canary Islands.  The Isleños and the earlier German settlers relieved potential inbreeding and agricultural problems.  All men between the ages of 17 and 36 had been recruited for the army to defend Louisiana from the British.  The soldiers were recruited first and allowed to invite family members to come along as settlers.  Numbering about 700 men, Isleños formed a 2nd battalion of the Louisiana/Luisiana Regiment, see below.  Enlistment period in the Spanish army was for 11 years, then.  Most Isleños originally were settled on land grants around Plaquemines, Ascension (primarily near the town of Valenzuela, aka Donaldsonville) and Iberia Parishes.  Some of the Spanish settlers were Malagueños from Galvez's home area, but are difficult to separate from the Canary Islanders.  Also, see Flag-Cajun, above.  Gov., Adm. and Gen. Bernardo de Galvez is pictured at right.

Krewe - ("crew") Members of a Carnival/Mardi Gras private social organization/club.  They organize, finance and participate in Carnival parades and formal balls.  They receive no government money (they pay an exorbitant fee to local government), but fuel the local economy.  See Mardi Gras, below.

Louisiana - LA -  Most mentions of Louisiana at this site, refer to the area in the present day state of Louisiana, not the huge French colony and the Louisiana Purchase area..

Louisiana Regiment (1779-1781) - Abbreviated - LA Regt.  The 1st battalion of this regiment was formed by Governor and General Bernardo de Galvez from 10 companies (close to 100 men, each) of Creole, Acadian, German and one company of Free-Black Louisiana militia units.  It was augmented by about 200 Indian scouts and a few Spanish regulars.  The Louisiana Regiment was a part of the Galvez Spanish army that defeated the British at Manchac, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Mobile and Pensacola as American allies during the Revolution.  This action thwarted British plans to drive up from the Gulf Coast to meet Gen. Cornwallis in the north, further dividing the American colonies.  The Louisiana Regimental flag is shown at right.  See the Louisiana Am.Rev. page for one example of the many modern descendants of soldiers in this regiment and a little about Gen. Galvez, its founder.  A second battalion of the regiment was formed from the Spanish Isleño settlers, see above.  Many, with Louisiana ancestors, descend from one or more of those American Revolutionary War soldiers.

Lundi Gras - loon-dee-grah, Fat Monday.  A celebration, the day before the Mardi Gras celebration.  By lucky coincidence, it is also within the beginning of "crawfish" season.  Crawfish boils abound on that day (see above).  Traditionally, the Mayor of New Orleans meets Rex, the King of Carnival, at the river docks in the French Quarter on that day.  The mayor relinquishes the "Key to the City" to King Rex for his one long day reign.

Mardi Gras - Mah-dee-grah, Carnival, Fat Tuesday.  The last day of self-indulgence before Lent.  It is celebrated with parades, costumes, masking, formal balls, parties and aberrant behavior.  Preceding Easter, the date of Mardi Gras varies from early February to early March.  The day following Mardi Gras is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a season of self-denial and atonement.  The Lenten season ends with Easter.  Mardi Gras/Carnival season always begins on 6 January, Kings' Day (The Three Wise Men).  Traditionally, one has a "King(s') Cake" with family and friends every Friday during Carnival season.  One slice of a King Cake contains a hidden bean (or tiny baby doll).  Whoever gets the bean slice, must buy a cake for the next "King Cake Party."  There are week-end parades, for all, and formal balls (ball attendance by invitation of a Krewe member, only) toward the end of the carnival season.  A Krewe member can issue a "call out" to an invited guest of a ball.  This entitles the guest to a dance with the Krewe member.  Mardi Gras and the reign of Rex ends at midnight.  The streets of the French Quarter are cleared (the only time in the year) and clean-up begins.  Never fear, one can find sanctuary in one of the many French Quarter bars after midnite.  Carnival success is measured by the tons of debris removed from the streets.

m. – married

mark - marck, marche, a territorial  border in olden times.

m.contr.- marriage contract.  It established dowery and inheritance rules for the couple.  Approximately equivalent to a modern pre-nuptial agreement and license.

mq., mqs. - marquis, marquise.  Originally, the count of a border county.

mrchl.Fr. - Marechal de France, field marshal of Royalist France.  Under the Old Regime, there was only one Marechal de France at any given time.  He was in command of all French military forces.  He held this position, at the pleasure of the King, until he died or retired.  After the French Revolution, there were often many marechals at a time.

  adm.Fr.  -  Admiral of France.  Essentially the second in command of Royal French military forces.  The Royal French Navy was never a national priority.

  cnstbl.Fr. - Constable of France.  Chief law enforcement officer of Royalist France.  Law enforcement components and organization were similar to the military.

N.O., LA or NOLA - New Orleans, Louisiana abbreviation.  The first settlements, later to become part or suburb of New Orleans, were trading posts in Gentilly and Metairie in 1708.  The official settlement of New Orleans in what is now the "French Quarter" was led by LeSieur de Bienville in 1718.  Bienville was acting for his older brother, LeSieur d'Iberville.  The brothers were Quebecois with the surname LeMoyne.  New Orleans is often referred to as the "Crescent City" (see above), but never as "The Big Easy" by the informed.  Note: Louisiana law prohibits city boundries from crossing civil Parish borders.  At right is a portrait of Jean Baptist LeMoyne, LeSieur de Bienville.

Nanaine - marraine - (nah-nann, mare-ann) Godmother.  Marraine is the original French word.  Nanaine is an equivalent term popular in S.Louisiana.

Native American – a recent, divisive and politically correct malapropism used for an American Indian (can be shortened to Amerind).  There are no humans indiginous to the Americas.  All are recent immigrants.  The ancestors of American Indians migrated to the Americas a few minutes on the clock of man’s existence on this planet (a bit over 10,000 years of around 5 million) before others.  Most were still nomadic hunter-gatherers in 1492.  Many modern Americans have American Indian in their ancestry, including yours truly.  It had been estimated that the American Indian population of the Americas was less than 5 million when Europeans began arriving after 1492.

The long standing inclusive definition of the term Native American – has referred to a person born in America, including American Indians, regardless of race, color or creed for hundreds of years.  Words mean things.  If so many terms and word definitions keep being changed, all attempts at communication and understanding of contemporaries and the lessons of history will continue to suffer. The ultimate result, chaos.  For example, what would today's child think that "The Gay 90s" meant?  A wax image of young Madokawando, Grand Chief of the Abenaquis Tribe of the Algonquin Nation, an ancestor of many Cajuns, is shown at right.  He and his son-in-law and heir, the Baron de St.Castin, were French heroes, but arch-villains to the English in the New Brunswick, New England area.

Parrain - (pahr-ranh. pronounced ending with a soft French nasel "n") Godfather. 

PCP - Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana

pr./prs. - prince, princess

s./sr. - Le sieur, sir or sometimes used when the exact title rank is unknown.

sgr. - seigneur = lord, noble landowner.

Seal - In heraldry, a seal is a hard-material, engraved reverse image of a coat-of-arms for making hot-wax impressions.  The wax impressions are used to seal documents or containers.  A seal was often mounted on a finger ring and worn by the bearer of those arms.  The term "seal" can also refer to an actual wax impression sealing a document.  An unbroken seal assured the recipient that the document had not been tampered nor read by others. A wax impression from Charles Latour's seal is shown at right.  Someone with talent had carefully traced over the image.

SJA - St.James Parish, Louisiana. aka St.Jacques de Cabanocey in earlier times.

SJB or SJBP - St.John the Baptist Parish, LA

vct. - Vicomte, vicount, viscount.  Noble rank between count and seigneur.

Vieux Carre - (pronounced Vuh Car-ray/Vew Car-ray)- Literally the Old Square, the French Quarter.  The French Quarter was the original colonial city of New Orleans.  It is bounded on the east by the Mississippi River, the south by Canal St., the west by N.Rampart St. and the north by Esplanade Ave.  Those boundries were also the early city's defenses as their names imply..

vdm. - Vidame.  Secular seigneur/lord of Church lands and properties.  The title and office were hereditary.  Strict vows prevented religious persons from drawing blood or ordering it to be drawn in any manner.  The vidame, as a layman, was under no such restrictions.

Yat - Humorous, but not derogatory, slang term for a native New Orleanian, especially those from the old 9th Ward, Gentilly, Irish Channel and parts of old

Metairie (a yat says "Metry").  Yat is derived from a favorite native greeting - "Where're y'at?" (Where are you at?).  This was a popular substitute for "How are

you?".  Usage of the term yat has dwindled, along with the New Orleans population. since the early 1970s.  Examples of a few Yat terms: bird=boid, "Did you eat?"=Jeet?, jerk=joik, library=lie-berry, oil=earl or all, oysters=ersters, rinse=wrench, St.Anthony=Snantny, Saturday=Sadady, sink=zink, terms=toims, these,

that, them and those=deez, dat, dem and doze, wash=warsh, etc, (Example: You warsh da earl off doze dishes and wrench dem in dat zink. Den we will go to choich at Snantny's.)

You all / y'all - Hollywood and Yankee propagada acuse Southerners of using these terms in the singular.  Not true.  When a Southerner addresses an individual as "y'all or you all," that individual and family, companions or significant other are implied.

More terms and abbreviations will be added and clarified as inspiration and time permit.  Suggestions and comments are appreciated. To inspire us, Contact us.

A personal plea:  My Dad, Douglas Lewis Talbot, had 2 children that I know nothing about.  His other children that I do know are Brenda, Jon, Patricia, Jimmy and Douglas Jr.  His first son, Frederick, died at 1 day old in 1938.  He lost a set of twins at birth ca.1950.

 

Dad was born 2 Dec 1915 in Franklin, Louisiana, served in the Army Tank Corps in the Pacific Theater during WWII and the occupation of Japan (based in Tokyo) until 1946/7. Afterwards, he is known to have resided in Chicago, New Orleans, Franklin, LA and the Hahnville-Luling, LA area.  If you have any information or clues to the identity of my two long lost siblings, please contact me.  I would dearly love to at least know about them.  I assume they were born sometime around 1944 to 1975. 

 

At right is his picture ca.1944.  He was 5 ft.6 in.tall, medium to husky build, with black wavy hair and dark blue eyes. 

Thank you. 

Mike