Cajun

See also: cajun

English

Alternative forms

• Cadien (Louisiana French orthography), Cajin, Cadjin, Cagin (obsolete)

Etymology

An Anglicization of the Acadian French Cadien (itself an aphetic form of Acadien (“Acadian”)), reflecting the palatalization of /dj/ to /d͡ʒ/ in the Acadian dialect.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkeɪ.d͡ʒən/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪdʒən

Noun

Cajun (plural Cajuns)

1. A member of the ethnic group descending from Acadia, primarily French-speaking Catholic and living in Southern Louisiana and Maine.
2. (ethnic slur, dated) Any uneducated poor Francophone in French Louisiana.

   Synonym: coonass

   Damn Cajuns! They're all a bunch of lazy coonasses!

Adjective

Cajun (not comparable)

1. Relating to the Cajun people or their culture.
2. Of spicy food prepared in the style of the Cajun cuisine.

Derived terms

• Cajun Creole