Cajun
/ˈkeɪ.dʒən/noun
A person of Acadian descent in Louisiana, or the French dialect and culture associated with them.
Did you know?The word comes from Acadian French cadiens, a regional pronunciation of Acadians, and is a reminder that identity can survive even after forced displacement and cultural erasure.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
French
Acadie
“The French colonial name for Acadia, a region in eastern Canada.”
18th Century
French
Acadiens
“French settlers of Acadia, later expelled by the British in the Grand Dérangement.”
18th-19th Century
Acadian French
cadiens
“A local pronunciation of Acadiens, referring to Acadian people.”
19th Century
English
cajun
“An English spelling reflecting the Louisiana pronunciation of Acadian.”
Modern English
English
Cajun
“A Louisiana Acadian person, or the culture, language, and cuisine associated with them.”