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 (Berkshire, UK))

  (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.

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

   Synonym: coonass

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