If you’re new to New Orleans, there’s a good chance you’ve heard things that you had a little trouble understanding. Here’s your guide if you want to understand the locals—and even sounds like a local from time to time.
- Bay-bay!
Flickr.com / Lynford Morton This is how you get called out in NOLA.
- Hey how you doin’, alright alright
Flickr.com / Todd Shaffer You know someone is from New Orleans when they pass you on the street, ask you how you are doing and answer before you have the chance to say a word.
- Yeah you right.
Flickr.com / Richard Ricciardi Kind of like alright, but better.
- I’ve been sayin..
Flickr.com / Gilbert Mercier How New Orleanians say I told you so.
- Boocoo
Flickr.com / Wally Gobetz Meaning, very, a bunch, from the French beaucoup which means a lot.
- I’m fixin’ to..
Flickr.com / Melanie Innis I’m getting ready to… But since things usually go slower in New Orleans, this usually means there are probably at least a few more hours before anything is going to happen.
- On tomorrow….
Flickr.com / Richard Ricciardi In New Orleans, tomorrow is just like another day of the week. Another day to eat some beignets, that is.
- Brah
Flickr.com / nestor ferraro The NOLA version of bro.
- By my house
Flickr.com / Bart Everson This is how you say something or someone is at your house.
- Now you kno….
Flickr.com / Gilbert Mercier Another way you introduce telling someone something they should have already known. Like I told you so.
- I’d like it dressed.
Flickr.com / Tess Dixon Re: a po-boy. Truly the only way to enjoy a po-boy is when it has its outfit on: lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and if you are lucky, a pickle.
- Well what had happened was…
Flickr.com / Peter Clark Kind of the New Orleans version of, “Once upon a time…”. There’s definitely a story here!
How many of these phrases have you heard? Which ones do you say? Which ones did we miss from this list? Let us know in the comments below. We love to hear your comments and feedback!
Flickr.com / Lynford Morton
This is how you get called out in NOLA.
Flickr.com / Todd Shaffer
You know someone is from New Orleans when they pass you on the street, ask you how you are doing and answer before you have the chance to say a word.
Flickr.com / Richard Ricciardi
Kind of like alright, but better.
Flickr.com / Gilbert Mercier
How New Orleanians say I told you so.
Flickr.com / Wally Gobetz
Meaning, very, a bunch, from the French beaucoup which means a lot.
Flickr.com / Melanie Innis
I’m getting ready to… But since things usually go slower in New Orleans, this usually means there are probably at least a few more hours before anything is going to happen.
In New Orleans, tomorrow is just like another day of the week. Another day to eat some beignets, that is.
Flickr.com / nestor ferraro
The NOLA version of bro.
Flickr.com / Bart Everson
This is how you say something or someone is at your house.
Another way you introduce telling someone something they should have already known. Like I told you so.
Flickr.com / Tess Dixon
Re: a po-boy. Truly the only way to enjoy a po-boy is when it has its outfit on: lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and if you are lucky, a pickle.
Flickr.com / Peter Clark
Kind of the New Orleans version of, “Once upon a time…”. There’s definitely a story here!
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Address: New Orleans, LA, USA
