“A man walks into a bar in New Orleans…” (bar joke)
"A guy walks into a bar..." is a typical form of what has been called the "bar joke." The year 2020 brought many problems, such as the coronavirus pandemic, and in late August…
“Are you a cajun chef? Cause I wanna bayou dinner”
"Bayou" sounds like "buy you." "can i 'bayou' dinner?" was posted on Twitter by John Smallbearings on July 16, 2011. "I'd like to bayou dinner and…
“Chicken in the car and the car won’t go” (Chicago spelling rhyme)
"A chicken in the car and the car won't go, that's the way to spell Chicago" is a popular Chicago rhyme that has been cited in print since at least 1926. The children's…
“Do I like gumbo? A-cajun-ally”
A cajun pun of "occasionally" is "a-cajun-a;;y" or "o-cajun-ally." "I have a really bad Louisiana joke. But don't worry ... I only tell it o-cajun-ally"…
“Do I like gumbo? O-cajun-ally”
A cajun pun of "occasionally" is "a-cajun-a;;y" or "o-cajun-ally." "I have a really bad Louisiana joke. But don't worry ... I only tell it o-cajun-ally"…
“I Will” (Chicago motto)
Entry in progress -- B.P. 22 March 1892, The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago, IL), pg. 7:"I WILL." This Chicago Expression is Disturbing the Brethren of the Hub and New York.Boston
“I’m from Missouri, and you’ve got to show me” & Show Me State (Missouri nickname)
Gerald Cohen is a professor at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Rolla, MO). He started the research on "Big Apple," and he also started the research on "I'm…
“If you burn dinner, just call it Louisiana style and serve it anyway”
There are "Chicago style" pizza and "Chicago style" hot dogs. Many people--such as those from New York City--might not like Chicago style. A joke was posted on Twitter by…
“If you’re eating food so amazing it makes you forget about the terrible roads you drive on… You might be in Louisiana”
"If you’re eating food so amazing it makes you forget about the terrible roads you drive on… You might be in Louisiana" was posted on Facebook by Lagniappe Meme Company on October 14,…
“It’s better to have lived in New Orleans and moved than to never have lived here at all”
"It's better to have lived in {X} and moved than to never have lived here at all" is a saying that has been printed on many images. "It's better to have lived in Texas and…
“Laissez les bons temps rouler” (“Let the good times roll”)
"Laissez les bons temps rouler" ("Let the good times roll") became a popular Louisiana saying from the 1940s-1960s. "Good times roll round once more" was printed in…
“Let her go, Gallagher!”
"Let her go, Gallagher!" was a nationally famous slang phrase in 1885 and 1886. Origin is uncertain. "LET her go, Gallagher!" was printed in The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)…
“Louisiana food is so good it will make you forget how bad the roads are”
"If you’re eating food so amazing it makes you forget about the terrible roads you drive on… You might be in Louisiana" was posted on Facebook by Lagniappe Meme Company on October 14,…
“New Orleans—Boosters for the Space Age” (New Orleans slogan)
The city of New Orleans, Louisiana, attempted in 1962 to enhance its role in space exploration, similar to Houston, Texas (called "Space City") and Huntsville, Alabama (called…
“One great thing about Louisiana heat: You can guarantee no one is waiting in your back seat”
"One great thing about Louisiana/Texas heat: You can guarantee no one is waiting in your back seat to kill you" is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. That is,…
“Red beans and ricely yours”
"Red beans and rice" is an important Creole dish in New Orleans, Louisiana. The term "red beans and rice" was cited in print in The Daily Picayune (New Orleans, LA) on June 13,…
“The 8th deadly sin is leaving a friend a voicemail”
Many people hate voicemail messages. "Leaving voicemail messages should be the 8th deadly sin" was posted on Twitter on January 3, 2012. "The 8th deadly sin is leaving a friend a…
“The Hawk” or “Hawkins” (strong cold winter wind)
Chicago's wind is called "Hawkins," or "The Hawk." The origin of the name is a mystery, but one thing is certain: it didn't originate in Chicago. Random House…
“The opposite of New Orleans is Old Andfat”
"the opposite of New Orleans is Old Andsits" is a joke that was posted on Twitter by Autopsy Turvy on November 11, 2016. "The opposite of new orleans is old andfats" was posted…
“Throw me something, mister!” (Mardi Gras parade cry)
"Throw me something, mister!" is a popular cry of the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. Parade watchers want to receive throws of trinkets from the parade floats. The saying…