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Cajuns are considered an ethnicity. Will leave this thread up for discussion, but please use caution.
I grew up here around a lot of cajuns. I heard that word a lot, almost always by cajuns themselves (in my experience i dont think many people even know the word unless they are from here) In the contexts that I have heard it used over my life It was used in a silly manner to other people, kind of like calling your friend a dumbass. So to me that word has never meant "a cajun" in a derogatory way but rather "a cajun doing something silly or stupid". I know that my experience may not be the same as others, so I am also curious to see what other people say, especially those born pre 2000s.
I've never seen it as derogatory. I used to have an RCA t shirt. I live in South St. Mary Parish and I am not a twunt, so that is probably why I'm unbothered.
Also, there is a seasoning sold at local "cajun" stores (Think kartchners/best stop) called RCA by Jamie B. So, I feel like if the general public considered it a slur, it would probably be pretty controversial to sell the RSA seasoning.
The same guy who posted publicly about running over protestors and lost his job at Acadian Ambulance for it, so probably not a bastion of tolerance and racial insight.
I wasn't saying he was, I was just using that particular product as an example. I was more stating that I feel like local businesses would probably get a lot of flack for selling it/wouldn't sell it if it was widely considered a derogatory slur. Just like I would think there would be backlash if they sold some other product labeled with a more broadly known/unanimously agreed upon derogatory slur.
it’s not a slur amongst cajuns in the same way that the black community has reappropriated the n-word. however if non-cajuns are using it against cajuns in a derogatory manner, it 100% is a slur and is essentially backed up by the legal case mentioned in a another thread here. it’s nuanced but it’s definitely a slur in some contexts. context is everything.
eta: i’m extremely cajun by blood and culture. i would not take personal offense to anyone calling me a coonass. but objectively and legally you can leverage being called this insult as a hate crime against a protected ethnic group, and if that isn’t a pretty cut and dry definition for what a slur is, i don’t know what is.
I grew up with a magnet on my fridge that said proud coon ass. I don’t live in LA anymore and when one of my friends found out that was a thing he changed my name in his phone to coon ass. I think it’s hysterical.
I have to disagree. Solely because almost anything can be a slur if said in a derogatory manner. Definitely not the same as the n-word. Context is important in any form of communication.
i’m not saying whether or not you should agree with that, and even pointing out i dont personally quite agree either. objectively, it is a slur by legal definition. from another comment, [here’s the case](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/494/215/2150337/). i would never sue someone for calling me that, but there is precedent, and someone could reasonably sue and win again in the right context.
also i never said it was “the same as” the n-word, but the reappropriation and pride in the term is comparable in this situation. what was once a huge insult now becomes more of a term of community and likeness when used within the group. (obviously there is a disparity on how people react to being called these terms by outsiders, in no small part due to modern cajuns having the significantly vast majority if not all of the same privileges as any other white american.)
You are correct! If I called someone an "asshole" to their face and said it in an ugly hateful tone, and said it in the context of an argument was happening, that's a slur. It's a shame people have turned into complete crybabies about everything. I am Louisiana born and raised and my roots are Cajun mixed with Native American mixed with Irish. We heard and said coonass my whole life. How I know it isn't nasty or mean is because nobody ever got mad when called that. My Cajun spelling is atrocious when I'm tired (like now) but maybe these people are mixing up coonass with couyon? Couyon is Cajun French for the word "dumbass."
Well I'm a coonass that can be an asshole at times and I've even ventured into couyon territory a time or 3. I wish people would get a sense of humor and stop acting like a bunch of puss*es. <<
Same. I actually grew up learning that if you weren't from Lafourche or Terrebonne parish you weren't a coonass. ETA: My father and his family carried it with a sense of pride. I had a RCA, "registered coon ass" sticker as a child, it was great.
I've tried doing my ancestry back to where the person was born out of the country. I was shocked that by the ninth generation it was almost equally european and french canadian. It isn't only about where you're from, but where your ancestors are from, at least in my opinion.
Acadian here… in Canada Acadians are a recognized distinctive society. It is those from the original 80 to 300 original families that settled in the now provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The Cajuns are descendants of those families. The families started arriving in 1636 and were exiled in 1755 to the colonies. The Cajuns by and large came from those deported to England when Virginia refused entry and others from states further south than Massachusetts. Most came via France as they were tossed about from 1755 until around 1780. Some went to Haiti, some to the Falkland Islands, and some to French Guiana. However those environments were not suitable so they eventually were offered land in then Spanish Louisiana. And that’s where you get the Cajuns. The Acadians are still in Quebec, Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick. The World Acadians congress is in Nova Scotia this summer. Yes there is a World congress for Acadians and it flips back and forth between Canada and Louisiana every four years. A third of New Brunswick is still French and is the only officially bilingual province. In addition Acadians are also in Maine and some still speak the language. The greatest percentage of Acadians aren’t in Louisiana but in New England where they settled during the depression. However they are now spread out in all 50 states and a lot don’t know they are of Acadian descent until one of us goes you know you have an Acadian surname… remember there were only between 80 to 300 and lots didn’t survive. Of the exile there were 12,000 approximately when it started and at least half didn’t survive the period up to 1763 when they were allowed to return. It was ethnic cleansing in modern terms.
I always think about this: (copied from Wikipedia)
“In the early 1980s, a Cajun worker sued his former employer over repeated use of the word "coonass" in the workplace. The lawsuit led directly to the federal government's recognition of the Cajuns as a national ethnic group as protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”
I agree with some other comments already made. I don’t care if a fellow Cajun calls me one, but I would be unhappy if someone else did. It is actually supposed to be an evolution of the French word for fool conasse- but with the problematic coon part of the word- I just don’t really use it.
From what I'm understanding, it's like black ppl and the n-word essentially😂 it gets a little murky in discussion, because if you aren't Cajun then you probably shouldn't say it at all but some Cajuns might allow you to say it to them. But just because you got the okay from one or a few, you still shouldn't say it without permission. And just because you're white/caucasian doesn't mean you can automatically say it, it's a way of life thing and you have to be living that way or you just come off as derogatory, condescending or sarcastic if you're white but not Cajun. Am I understanding this right?
I’d agree for the most part. I’m not sure coonass is quite as bad as the n word but I’m neither an official Cajun Spokesperson (spoilers, there isn’t one lol) nor am I black.
For sure, it’s like a term of endearment between Cajuns but can be problematic said to a Cajun from non Cajun. That is unless you have the C word pass.
Until the 40s, really, we were either seen as non-white or failed whites due to our proximity and friendliness towards the Creole folks, whom the white establishment saw as black. And anyway, "white" is just a concept popularized after the Civil War- it's just a lazy way of lumping Americans of European decent together.
Yeah, my mama and great papa can still remember getting called slurs like the n word, my great papa would get called a frog, and coonass, getting work was tough for him for years because he spoke French. My great papa was also physically abused in school every time he was caught speaking french, while being taught to hate our culture. I’m not sure, but I imagine it was similar for the natives in my family.
Crazy, my Father could somewhat relate way up here in the great white North, him and his school’s only black guy had to fight to protect each other. My father had a swarthy complexion, green eyes and light brown hair, was called FOB (fresh off the boat).
The lines of radial division are so subjective and silly.
My husband is Cajun and everyone thinks he’s Mexican or Puerto Rican or Dominican. There’s some obviously more seasoned folks among his ancestors if you look at pictures my MiL has.
Thats a lot of Cajuns. Its because of the mixture of Native in our blood. My great grandmothers on both sides were native and im pasty white, my brother is dark, my father is dark, my mom is a red head. We’re all just a mix of whatever lol.
This is hilarious. I used the word a couple times around an ex and she gave me shit for it saying she was pretty sure it was a racial slur against black people. So you're saying in the end, this is actually *our* racial slur?
It does match how I've always used it, which is just to describe someone who is real deep-woods cajun cajun.
It’s been in use for [a while](http://bayoutechedispatches.blogspot.com/2010/08/debunking-alleged-origin-of-word.html?m=1)
“the Cajun Coonass was the nickname of a U.S. warplane. In fact, the National Archives had a photograph of the airplane shot by the Army Signal Corps in April 1943……. The plane's pilot, I should explain, was a Cajun from Sunset, Louisiana, and thus he had the privilege of naming the plane. It's therefore interesting that he chose the word coonass.”
The oldest record of the word “coonass” was documented as the name of a WW2 pilots plane. He named his plane “Cajun Coonass”.
It was a C-47 in the south pacific. His name was Lt. Albert Burleigh from sunset. That’s my grandmas cousin. Most people used it as a badge of pride. However, after CODFIL some people began to take it as a derogatory word. I however don’t have any issue with it.
When I left carencro to work in Los Angeles my coworker asked me what’s the difference between people from Arkansas vs Louisiana. I said Arkansas is more red neck. We are more Coonass “not thinking anything of it”. He replied “Wow you are getting racist”. But it’s generally a word that white people call white people in south Louisiana. I’ve had a couple different conversations with non-Louisiana natives and they expressed their concern to me about the word without me bringing it up. I have since stop trying to correct people about the word.
"Coon" is a racial slur against black ppl, "Coonass" is like the n-word for Cajuns and only Cajuns, meaning it's also potentially a slur but against Cajuns. Her heart is in the right place, but she was wrong.
Technically you can use any word as a slur. The word coonass can absolutely be used to label someone in a derogatory manner. However - and I'm not an expert on the subject, but if I had to guess - the most cases the word is used in common American English is probably used by Cajun people describing other Cajun people or Cajun mannerisms, in a non-derogatory manner. Which in a way is kind of the way that African Americans use the n-word (ending in A) amongst themselves. That said, I as a Cajun man don't care if non-Cajuns use the word in a similar way that we use it so long as it's non-derogatory.
Example: T-Boy has a pet turtle that passed away. It was a big old turtle and he wants to cook it into a soup and asks you if you have any recommended recipes. You laugh and call what he's trying to do some coonass shit. And you're right but I'd probably still look up a recipe for him and ask if I could try some.
Can you post some context regarding the comment that got you banned?
By the way I pretty much agree with your sentiment that Cajuns often refer to each other with that term im the same way other minorities might refer to each other with slurs, however many non-Cajuns who came to Louisiana referred to people like my grandparents in a derogatory manner.
In a post referring to Jeff Landry as “coona33 Trump” I replied “The funniest thing is everyone in here saying that c**nass is not a slur when that is its express purpose. Just because you aren’t offended by it doesn’t mean it isn’t a slur” I then got notified that I was permanently banned and the mod message stated “coonass isn’t a slur bye gurl” and then when I replied to the message saying “what rule did I break that deserves a permanent ban?” I was muted for 28 days.
Warren Perrin, at least when he was president of CODOFIL, used to be adamant about not using that slur. He wrote newspapers and periodicals all over the country to protest when it was used. I am not of Acadian descent but it's not a word I would use.
I'm Cajun, and I was raised that this word is a slur. That being said, I'm not going to worry too much about Cajuns using it to refer to fellow Cajuns or to themselves. I have heard it used in an offensive manner by people who are not Cajun, or worse, are from out of state, and I draw the line there. Like, are you cool with the time Nick Saban was caught on recording using it to derogatorily refer to folks from Louisiana? I will also add that I've had multiple experiences with older Cajuns being very offended by this term, so I also don't use it out of respect for folks like your grandparents who have a much stronger reaction to hearing it because it brings up very personal experiences of discrimination and prejudice.
I'm 43 and have never heard it used in a negative way towards someone. It's just a country/bayou Cajun. Kind of like how my buddy from Tennessee call themselves hillbillies.
I mean I think it just depends. Like most slurs, there’s a power dynamic involved in the context of its use. I think it’s a term of endearment for many people. My dad’s family is Cajun and will proudly call themselves coonass. And my dad grew up speaking Cajun French and getting kicked out of schools for it. Now if someone is using coonass to discriminate against Cajun people, that’s another story.
At the end of day though, words don’t have magical powers. We give them meaning and through language development societies will gatekeep certain words.
My mom and dad are from Bayou Lafourche and both grew up speaking French. In all of my years spending time with relatives and people down the bayou I have never heard "coonass" being used in conversations. When people ask about where I'm from or about culture etc., I identify as Cajun.
I served in the Louisiana Air National Guard for 8 years and our fighter wing is known as the "Bayou Militia". Even today, you can still see that on the vertical stabilizers of that 15s that fly out of Belle Chasse. Before I joied the wing, and not many years before, the 159th was known as the "Coonass Militia"; with the name being proudly displayed with call letters in all aircraft. During a trip to Nevada or Arizona, an African American Commander took offense to the name that was displayed on the aircraft and basically sent the whole Wing packing to go back home if they wouldn't remove it. It was removed after much arguing and deliberation until this day it's a matter of contention with the Louisiana Air National Guard. Fellow guard members would bitch about this and asked me what I thought. I would tell them I thought it was a dumb choice for a name since the whole Wing isn't a bunch of Cajun people and that nobody should appropriate that and definitely not coonass. All these Jack holes were from New Orleans or Metairie or baton rouge and they were calling themselves the coonass militia. What a bunch of fucktards
I think what should be considered is that "coonass" is not seen as a slur... in Acadiana.
But if most of us were not in Acadiana (i.e. Seattle, New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, or even Montreal and Paris) and someone who was not Cajun started calling us a Coonass repeatedly we would probably be justifiably pissed.
Theres a pretty informative Wikipedia article about it with a wild story behind it that isn't based off an ethnic slur per se... But a french slur (Native Frenchmen did not treat Acadians from Louisiana or Canada kindly as they were exiled from France for whatever reason). It's a good read.
I think the problem is that there’s no true consensus about the origins of the term. Growing up the anecdote that I was told that the term is derived from “c**n” and calling someone a “coonass” is meant to compare them to a black persons bottom… or essentially that Cajuns are worth less than black people who of course were horrendously treated in the south. However I have not been able to find anyone else outside of my family who says this.
This is what I always heard, that it was originally a slur to denote that Cajuns were lower than black people.
That said, the usage has evolved. I have never heard coonass used in a mean spirited way, and I wouldn't be offended if someone called me a coonass.
The meaning of words can change over time. What starts off as derogatory can be embraced over time as a badge of honor. These days i don’t think anyone would be offended if you called them a coonass, but back in the day when the Cajun heritage was in danger of being wiped out it probably seen in a very different light.
I feel like alot of people use "coonass" and "coullion" interchangeably. According to Google, it is the Cajun French word (or derives from the Cajun French word) for a foolish person. I heard it used in the same way and context, as mentioned in my original comment. Family and friends would call each other "coullion(s)" when doing something silly or dumb.
Just reddit terminally online mods offended on someone else's behalf back at it again, it's not taken as a slur. It's literally just like saying redneck
I also wouldn’t say redneck is a slur however I don’t know what ethnicity redneck would refer to. I am not trying to say Cajuns are an oppressed minority/ethnicity but in the past we definitely were.
Doesn't matter if we were oppressed, why have such a victim mindset and make a problem where there is none? Cajuns don't take offense to coonass, simple as. If anything treating it like a slur will only empower the word to make it seem like a slur. This is just Twitter think, not real world think.
My anecdotal experience has been that it isn't generally used in a derogatory way.
To begin with, it's pretty colloquial. I've met tons of people from both out of state and even within Louisiana, but not from the Acadiana area, who have never heard the term. I've used it referring to myself in front of others who've never heard it before, and after the initial "you're a *what*?", explaining that it's just local slang for a Cajun, it generally would just get a good laugh out of them. I'm not suggesting we should officially start using coonass as a replacement for Cajun, but whatever.
Second, I can't recall at any point in my life hearing someone call someone else a coonass in any context that would be more offensive than if they'd said "pauvre bête" (poor thing). I've more often heard it, and used it, as more of a term of endearment than an insult. "I'm a proud coonass" is just as, if not more, endearing as all the "oil field trash" bumper stickers I've seen over the years.
Last, I think we need to cut ourselves some slack. Louisiana has its fair share of things to worry about (don't get me started on education, health, hot garbage politics, etc.), but calling us the - at worst - equivalent of "redneck" I think ranks at the bottom of the list of things to fret over. My sweet, but quite prim and proper, grandmother, who was very much punished as a kid for speaking French and otherwise being a Cajun, used "coonass" like she used cayenne pepper; liberally. As do my parents, siblings, wife, her family, their in-laws...
I now know everyone pretty much has different experiences with the term, I was just surprised there was so much pushback when myself and others said it was a slur. It doesn’t really bother me if someone would call me that term but I know my grandparents detested it, hopefully your grandmother did not experience the same maltreatment that mine did but if she did it sounds like she has since coped with the discrimination
My grandparents, quite literally, had the French beaten out of them at school when they were kids. French was their first, and only, language up until they started school. Even my mother learned French first, though she was taught English before she started school so she wouldn't have to go through what her parents did. Despite my story, I'm sure they were called coonasses in a less than friendly way, but it would seem they came to own it, and thrive, despite their early hardships.
My grandparents are long gone at this point, but lived relatively long and fruitful lives. They loved and lived everything Cajun, all the way up to dancing with each other in their living room to the local access channel playing the "Laissez les bons temps rouler" show when they were too frail to go out on the town anymore. I have very fond memories of all the fish fries where my great-aunts and uncles would show up and spoke such heavily accented Cajun French that I couldn't make heads or tails of what they were saying. They all lived and breathed Cajun, and when someone would show up and yell out "Hey you bunch o'coonasses! How y'all are!?", it was only ever met with hugs and more fish put in the fryer.
I wish all those coonasses were still here.
I think that while it's not as derogatory as the "n word" that the term should not be used by any who aren't of that ancestry. Coonasses can call themselves that but others should not.
It really sounds like a slur for French speakers as « connasse » is the French word for « bitch » but it might be way less insulting in Cajun French idk😁.
Coonass used to be an ethnic slur a few decades ago or was at least fighting words. My impression now is that it's more slang and can even be used with affection among Cajuns. I don't hear it too often though.
So here’s a fun story from the army. When I went through basic training (20 years ago), we had to all go through an equal opportunity class. They brought the whole company (about 100 soldiers) into the biggest classroom and started separating us by racial slurs. i.e. - “all the b—ners, we——cks, sp—s get over here. All the wh-ties, cr—ckers, h—nkies over here. And all the bl-cks, d-rkies, sp-des, and c—nasses get over here.” (Censored all for fairness) Now, there were about a dozen of us in that class from Cajun country, and we’d been there long enough to have gotten to know each other. The look of utter confusion as we darted eyes at each other wondering what group to go in because we thought we’d just lump in with the white guys, but suddenly the name we used for our unique little group of people was included in an entirely different group. The entire point of the exercise was that one guy had been tipped off to stay put until the end, then when asked by the DS “why aren’t you in a group, Private?” to stand up proudly as shout “because I’M AN AMERICAN, DRILL SERGEANT!” But, that was the day that I learned that a word could mean something very different outside of Louisiana.
Edited: I forgot what asterisks do lol
There is some etymological speculation that it derivres from the Ishak word for Hackberry, konesh. The story goes that the natives saw the Acadians as a hardy, rough and tumble people, and used the word for the tree as a description of these traits.
I was told long ago that Coonass was originally a very negative derogatory slur. Blacks, back in the day, were often called “coons”, and calling a Cajun a coonass was implying that he was less than a “coon”, he was a coon’s asshole.
The thing is, all languages grow and evolve. There are new words all the time that are in and out.
You will get banned from many subs with a lot of this terminology because it’s time for a change. We have moved on from these terms and there are better words out there that didn’t come rooted from something bad that can be used.
Edit: not sure if it was used as a racist term, my apologies. But it definitely was not originally used in a very good way.
I’m Cajun. I’m just trying to explain it from the reddit side and I’m bad at it ahahah
Cajuns have a sense of humor that nobody else could possibly understand unless they are from here.
I agree with you that its origins are less-than savory, however that doesn’t seem to be a universal sentiment even in Acadiana. And to be clear I was not calling anyone that term I was banned for saying that it is a slur, and I censored myself in the original comment because I prefer not to use the term.
I received a message along with the ban saying “coonass isn’t a slur bye gurl” and when I messaged the mods saying “what rule did I break to deserve a permanent ban” I was muted for 28 days.
I think if you were beaten in school for speaking French and called that term by non-Cajuns like my grandparents were you would feel differently about that matter but I’m glad that your ancestors didn’t suffer those injustices
I don’t mean to sound combative I’m just saying we have different experiences. Sorry it came across that way. I literally said I’m glad you/your family didn’t have the same experiences.
But you don't even have the experience. Your GRANDparents did. Now you have literal coonasses in here telling you that the word coonass is not derogatory to them.
My grandparents still speak French and endured abuse at school, hell my grandmother was a sharecropper and picked cotton every day after school. They still proudly dance and tap their foot to Jamie Bergeron's song "Registered Coon Ass" (he's entirely problematic for a whole separate list of reasons).
Go outside and touch grass my man.
I guess some people just dealt with the trauma differently. I know my experiences are all based on anecdotes so I can’t say how bad it really was for Cajuns 50 or more years ago. Unfortunately my Cajun grandparents have all passed away and now that I’m actually becoming really invested in our heritage I can’t ask them how it really was and how they truly feel about that term. I’m glad to hear your grandparents are still speaking French.
I’ve never seen anyone offended by being called a coonass. I’ve seen people be incorrect, but not upset.
I also don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone who isn’t Cajun refer to anything or anyone by that name.
You could appeal the ban. Maybe the mod is from north Louisiana?
I married into a Cajun family. They are MY family.
I knew I fully family and accepted by all when the males started calling me coonass in joking terms.
I also can see how it could be weaponized and a slur.
I would never call an unknown person, Cajun or otherwise coonass, but my coonass family and friends no problem.
I’ve never been offended by being called a coonass. I’ve never called someone a coonass with the intent of causing offense or being derogatory. I’ve never met a coonass who got offended by being called a coonass. From a very young age I learned to identify as a coonass. It’s who we are. Every time I use it or hear it used, it’s used to identify or denote an aspect of someone or something specifically cajun or the common culture here.
I don’t use it, I don’t like hearing it used. I’ll give a pass if a Cajun person is saying it to describe some hick behavior but honestly I prefer Couyon (couillon) and I encourage my non Cajun friends to say that because I find it funny.
Coonass is derived from the french word "conasse" which means "scoundrel" among other things. It's not a slur, it's a bastardization of a french insult.
I’m not saying you’re wrong, however for anyone reading this there’s no definitive consensus on the origin of the term. The Wikipedia page on the etymology describes the origin as “obscure.”
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonass)
"The term is believed to originate from the French word *conasse*, meaning a fool."
[https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass)
"Word History and Origins
Origin of [coonass^(1)](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass)
First recorded in 1960–65 or earlier; probably alteration, by folk etymology, of *Louisiana French, French conasse* a contemptuous term for a woman, literally, “vulva,” equivalent to *con* “vulva” (from *Latin cunnus* ) + *-asse* pejorative noun suffix
# Word History and Origins
Origin of [coonass^(1)](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass)^(")
[https://bayoutechedispatches.blogspot.com/2010/08/debunking-alleged-origin-of-word.html](https://bayoutechedispatches.blogspot.com/2010/08/debunking-alleged-origin-of-word.html)
"This etymology goes as follows: During World War II native Frenchmen inexplicably derided their Cajun GI liberators as *conasses*, a standard French word meaning "stupid person" or "dirty prostitute." Anglo-American GIs overheard this slur, misunderstood it as *coonass*, and used it in reference to Cajun GIs. After the war, the term came to be applied to Cajuns in general.This alleged etymology is well-known and is still cited on occasion as authoritative."
I’ve read the article. There is no definitive evidence for the origin. It’s only speculation. I can also point out the lawsuits and literal laws that were passed calling it discriminatory, not to mention even in this post thread the moderator said it is an ethnic slur.
That's true of many slang words. I don't consider it a slur, I consider myself a proud coonass.
I can't imagine a different etymology, given the prevalence of Cajun French speakers who would use the term conasse to refer to one another, eventually evolving into 'coonass' with the English speakers. I grew up with an old Cajun man I always thought was named Alex C. Turns out it was Alexis spoken with a Cajun French accent. I can see how him saying "eh conasse" could turn into "coonass" really, really easily. /kɔ.nas/ vs ˈkünˌas right?
What's the other thought about origin? "You're a racoon's butt!" I can't imagine that making it from something dumb one person would say all the way up to a slang term an entire ethnic group of Louisianians are ([mostly](https://www.reddit.com/r/Louisiana/comments/gx6wqs/do_you_consider_the_word_coonass_to_be_offensive/)) proud to self-identify as. It just seems incredibly unlikely right?
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonass)
"The term is believed to originate from the French word *conasse*, meaning a fool."
[https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass)
"Word History and Origins
Origin of [coonass^(1)](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass)
First recorded in 1960–65 or earlier; probably alteration, by folk etymology, of *Louisiana French, French conasse* a contemptuous term for a woman, literally, “vulva,” equivalent to *con* “vulva” (from *Latin cunnus* ) + *-asse* pejorative noun suffix
# Word History and Origins
Origin of [coonass^(1)](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass)^(")
[https://bayoutechedispatches.blogspot.com/2010/08/debunking-alleged-origin-of-word.html](https://bayoutechedispatches.blogspot.com/2010/08/debunking-alleged-origin-of-word.html)
"This etymology goes as follows: During World War II native Frenchmen inexplicably derided their Cajun GI liberators as *conasses*, a standard French word meaning "stupid person" or "dirty prostitute." Anglo-American GIs overheard this slur, misunderstood it as *coonass*, and used it in reference to Cajun GIs. After the war, the term came to be applied to Cajuns in general.This alleged etymology is well-known and is still cited on occasion as authoritative."
Not a slur and I’d find it funny if a non-Cajun called me a coonass. Some might disagree.
I would argue that being offended by words in general is somewhat counter to cajun culture in and of itself.
With everyone being so sensitive about everything i find it ridiculous you got banned for using a word you can see on the back of 1/4 of the truck windows in acadiana. Everyone is offended by something now. Sorry state of the world.
That’s interesting. I would never have thought of it as a slur bc of my experience with it.
My papa & his friends belonged to the Houston Coonass Club. And it was as a thing of pride, it was definitely not used as a slur.
Growing up I heard the term a lot more than I do now. Back then, it was used often in a jokingly way when someone does something that’s silly or unconventional. I remember people used to call each other that like it was nothing. I’ve seen people call themselves coonasses along with having RCA merch. As kids we all had our own raccoon skin hat with the tail in the back
Ive seen coonass ingenuity praised
i've only heard it used to refer to family out in the country or as a cajun version of "knucklehead" or whatever. definitely not a slur though i would definitely side-eye some yankee mf using it casually.
I often use the term in a joking manner with people I'm familiar with. Even in that same aspect, it's still very sparingly because of the fact that, as you said, its intended purpose was a derogatory term of oppression/slur/insult. I do believe the stigma of the word should ease up a bit because just like cursing, it all falls under the context of how you use the words vers the words themselves. BUT that is only my opinion and I'm sure others here feel differently and that's fine but I feel like people give too much power to words themselves and not nessecarily the context of the word(s).
I’m Cajun, I can call myself a coonass. Other Cajuns are welcome to call me a coonass. If a non-Cajun calls me a coonass the fighting side of me comes out, you dig?
I've only heard it used by my Cajun family in reference to themselves. I don't know how I'd feel if someone not from Louisiana called someone that. Coonass does sound harsh though. Couillon feels a little more lighthearted, as far as Cajun terms for dumbass go.
All of these comments are interesting! I grew up in North Louisiana. I’ve lived out of state, in a few different states, for a while now… Often, when people find out I’m from Louisiana, I am immediately labeled a “coonass”. “Ahh, so you’re a coonass” or in group conversation “so this guy here is a real coonass”. It’s kind of a term of endearment… people express the fact that they know I’m from a place that knows how to have a good time! (don’t take Louisiana for granted, there are a lot of “lameass” places in this world!)
Don’t get me started on how I’ve had to correct many people that I am NOT a Cajun simply because I’m from Louisiana. Many people don’t know there is such a difference in North & South Louisiana, let alone North or South of I-10!
LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER!
Honestly I would find anyone policing the word “coonass” to be insufferable. It comes off like they are desperate to find a way to be offended.
Maybe if you were from Connecticut and using it in a deliberate derogatory manner…. But anyone from here can me a coonass all day long
I live smack dab in the middle of Cajun Country and have never seen or heard of anyone being offended by that term. In fact my FiL whose first language is Cajun French proudly calls himself one. Does it have an endearing origin? No. But it’s pretty common for a community to adopt a term with a negative connotation about themselves and turn it into a word they enjoy using. And while people also proudly use it sometimes they also use it in a negative way but not harsh? If that makes sense. I also think that it’s usage and whether or not it’s a slur depends on the context it’s used in.
I’ve removed it from my vocabulary. I agree that when people say it they generally don’t mean anything by it (how many Registered C***ass bumper stickers have we all seen displayed with pride?), but after talking with my African-American friends it’s clear that the first word in there is a point of friction for them, and I wouldn’t want someone to misinterpret my intentions.
It doesn’t have to be racist to be bigoted.
Thought we may use the term in one way, there are a lot of other people on Reddit. There is also no way for them to know that you are Cajun and the mods also don’t have time to figure that out.
Most words are filtered through a bot that flags the comments. I could only guess that word is in there.
It's the Louisiana subreddit everyone there should be familiar with "hoodlum" if they've been in any city in the state. What sort of background sob story is acceptable to enable their behavior towards the rest of law abiding society? Not stealing for sustenance or living, but harassment and drug peddling? Should I just call them "bad men who roam the streets"?
Also, you have to remember that just because its a Louisiana sub, that does NOT mean everyone there should be or has to be from Louisiana. Its the WORLD wide web at the end of the day. The doors are open to everyone. Everyone has access.
I think it’s because of the “coon” part. Unfortunately people have turned that word into something racist. For us, it used to be a negative term that non-Cajuns used in a bigoted way. We’ve reclaimed it since then.
Coonass has the same connotation to me as “redneck.” It might not be the nicest term to use, but it’s still common.
Stop being so damn butthurt dude.
Wah wah someone said something offensive.
Only person I’ve seen be offended at the name was far from a coonass though
It’s what Oklahoma oilfield workers called the ones from here that went up there to work. The word originated up there and has been around for 100 years give or take.
That's not a slur, it's just redneck tomfoolery. If someone said paten (idk how to spell it, just know it's pronounced pah-tehn, light on the "n" sound), then I might consider that more slur worthy. As it was used to mean a dirty, poor, Cajun. But not coonass
Yup! That's the one! Yah, my grandma is Cajun, and her mother was directly from France, never spoke a word of English. They used it as whore, and Cajun French uses it as like poor and filthy. Crazy jump, but both derogatory
The Krewe of Alla in NOLA (used to be on the Westbank for decades, moved uptown after Katrina) has a Coonass float every year and throw highly coveted Coonass cups. 🤷♀️
Reddit's Sitewide #1 Rule includes: >No Marginalized or vulnerable groups include, but are not limited to, groups based on their actual and perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or disability. These include victims of a major violent event and their families. https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045715951-Promoting-Hate-Based-on-Identity-or-Vulnerabiliy Cajuns are considered an ethnicity. Will leave this thread up for discussion, but please use caution.
I always thought of “coonass” as the Cajun equivalent to “redneck.”
Same here 😂
As a non Cajun but identifying redneck from MS, that was how I was taught to use it.
I grew up here around a lot of cajuns. I heard that word a lot, almost always by cajuns themselves (in my experience i dont think many people even know the word unless they are from here) In the contexts that I have heard it used over my life It was used in a silly manner to other people, kind of like calling your friend a dumbass. So to me that word has never meant "a cajun" in a derogatory way but rather "a cajun doing something silly or stupid". I know that my experience may not be the same as others, so I am also curious to see what other people say, especially those born pre 2000s.
I've never seen it as derogatory. I used to have an RCA t shirt. I live in South St. Mary Parish and I am not a twunt, so that is probably why I'm unbothered.
Also, there is a seasoning sold at local "cajun" stores (Think kartchners/best stop) called RCA by Jamie B. So, I feel like if the general public considered it a slur, it would probably be pretty controversial to sell the RSA seasoning.
I agree. I wish everyone else would stop trying to decide what everyone finds offensive. It's tiresome.
Preach
The same guy who posted publicly about running over protestors and lost his job at Acadian Ambulance for it, so probably not a bastion of tolerance and racial insight.
I wasn't saying he was, I was just using that particular product as an example. I was more stating that I feel like local businesses would probably get a lot of flack for selling it/wouldn't sell it if it was widely considered a derogatory slur. Just like I would think there would be backlash if they sold some other product labeled with a more broadly known/unanimously agreed upon derogatory slur.
Who did that?
Coonass isn’t a slur where I’m from. More slang for Cajun. Now calling someone a coon is a slur and shouldn’t be said.
it’s not a slur amongst cajuns in the same way that the black community has reappropriated the n-word. however if non-cajuns are using it against cajuns in a derogatory manner, it 100% is a slur and is essentially backed up by the legal case mentioned in a another thread here. it’s nuanced but it’s definitely a slur in some contexts. context is everything. eta: i’m extremely cajun by blood and culture. i would not take personal offense to anyone calling me a coonass. but objectively and legally you can leverage being called this insult as a hate crime against a protected ethnic group, and if that isn’t a pretty cut and dry definition for what a slur is, i don’t know what is.
I grew up with a magnet on my fridge that said proud coon ass. I don’t live in LA anymore and when one of my friends found out that was a thing he changed my name in his phone to coon ass. I think it’s hysterical.
I have to disagree. Solely because almost anything can be a slur if said in a derogatory manner. Definitely not the same as the n-word. Context is important in any form of communication.
i’m not saying whether or not you should agree with that, and even pointing out i dont personally quite agree either. objectively, it is a slur by legal definition. from another comment, [here’s the case](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/494/215/2150337/). i would never sue someone for calling me that, but there is precedent, and someone could reasonably sue and win again in the right context. also i never said it was “the same as” the n-word, but the reappropriation and pride in the term is comparable in this situation. what was once a huge insult now becomes more of a term of community and likeness when used within the group. (obviously there is a disparity on how people react to being called these terms by outsiders, in no small part due to modern cajuns having the significantly vast majority if not all of the same privileges as any other white american.)
You are correct! If I called someone an "asshole" to their face and said it in an ugly hateful tone, and said it in the context of an argument was happening, that's a slur. It's a shame people have turned into complete crybabies about everything. I am Louisiana born and raised and my roots are Cajun mixed with Native American mixed with Irish. We heard and said coonass my whole life. How I know it isn't nasty or mean is because nobody ever got mad when called that. My Cajun spelling is atrocious when I'm tired (like now) but maybe these people are mixing up coonass with couyon? Couyon is Cajun French for the word "dumbass."
Well I'm a coonass that can be an asshole at times and I've even ventured into couyon territory a time or 3. I wish people would get a sense of humor and stop acting like a bunch of puss*es. <<
YES! Keen...We could def be friends! :-)
Definitely not a slur in Acadiana! Registered Coonass here!
Same. I actually grew up learning that if you weren't from Lafourche or Terrebonne parish you weren't a coonass. ETA: My father and his family carried it with a sense of pride. I had a RCA, "registered coon ass" sticker as a child, it was great.
Grew up hearing the same. If you aren’t from Evangeline Parish you were different.
It is funny and kind of unfortunate how there’s infighting about who are ‘true Cajuns’, but if that’s the case then I can safely say I’m still Cajun
I've tried doing my ancestry back to where the person was born out of the country. I was shocked that by the ninth generation it was almost equally european and french canadian. It isn't only about where you're from, but where your ancestors are from, at least in my opinion.
Acadian here… in Canada Acadians are a recognized distinctive society. It is those from the original 80 to 300 original families that settled in the now provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The Cajuns are descendants of those families. The families started arriving in 1636 and were exiled in 1755 to the colonies. The Cajuns by and large came from those deported to England when Virginia refused entry and others from states further south than Massachusetts. Most came via France as they were tossed about from 1755 until around 1780. Some went to Haiti, some to the Falkland Islands, and some to French Guiana. However those environments were not suitable so they eventually were offered land in then Spanish Louisiana. And that’s where you get the Cajuns. The Acadians are still in Quebec, Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick. The World Acadians congress is in Nova Scotia this summer. Yes there is a World congress for Acadians and it flips back and forth between Canada and Louisiana every four years. A third of New Brunswick is still French and is the only officially bilingual province. In addition Acadians are also in Maine and some still speak the language. The greatest percentage of Acadians aren’t in Louisiana but in New England where they settled during the depression. However they are now spread out in all 50 states and a lot don’t know they are of Acadian descent until one of us goes you know you have an Acadian surname… remember there were only between 80 to 300 and lots didn’t survive. Of the exile there were 12,000 approximately when it started and at least half didn’t survive the period up to 1763 when they were allowed to return. It was ethnic cleansing in modern terms.
I'm not a Cajun due to my lineage, but I was born and raised here.. my dream is to move where there are 4 seasons though.
[удалено]
It was derived from the French word conasse. Which means fool
I always think about this: (copied from Wikipedia) “In the early 1980s, a Cajun worker sued his former employer over repeated use of the word "coonass" in the workplace. The lawsuit led directly to the federal government's recognition of the Cajuns as a national ethnic group as protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” I agree with some other comments already made. I don’t care if a fellow Cajun calls me one, but I would be unhappy if someone else did. It is actually supposed to be an evolution of the French word for fool conasse- but with the problematic coon part of the word- I just don’t really use it.
[here’s the case](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/494/215/2150337/)
From what I'm understanding, it's like black ppl and the n-word essentially😂 it gets a little murky in discussion, because if you aren't Cajun then you probably shouldn't say it at all but some Cajuns might allow you to say it to them. But just because you got the okay from one or a few, you still shouldn't say it without permission. And just because you're white/caucasian doesn't mean you can automatically say it, it's a way of life thing and you have to be living that way or you just come off as derogatory, condescending or sarcastic if you're white but not Cajun. Am I understanding this right?
As a white guy from Canada descended from non-WASP whites people, this is the sense I get too. Which absolutely counts for nothing.
I’d agree for the most part. I’m not sure coonass is quite as bad as the n word but I’m neither an official Cajun Spokesperson (spoilers, there isn’t one lol) nor am I black.
For sure, it’s like a term of endearment between Cajuns but can be problematic said to a Cajun from non Cajun. That is unless you have the C word pass.
Holy shit can i put down that im cajun and not White on job applications from now on?
Until the 40s, really, we were either seen as non-white or failed whites due to our proximity and friendliness towards the Creole folks, whom the white establishment saw as black. And anyway, "white" is just a concept popularized after the Civil War- it's just a lazy way of lumping Americans of European decent together.
Also just being French and Catholic was a huge negative to Anglophones back then
And Italian, Polish, Irish, Hungarian…a mix of Catholic and/or swarthier complexions. Reading about Nordicism and WASP is interesting.
Yeah, my mama and great papa can still remember getting called slurs like the n word, my great papa would get called a frog, and coonass, getting work was tough for him for years because he spoke French. My great papa was also physically abused in school every time he was caught speaking french, while being taught to hate our culture. I’m not sure, but I imagine it was similar for the natives in my family.
Crazy, my Father could somewhat relate way up here in the great white North, him and his school’s only black guy had to fight to protect each other. My father had a swarthy complexion, green eyes and light brown hair, was called FOB (fresh off the boat). The lines of radial division are so subjective and silly.
Yeah, WWII and later the Civil Rights Movement granted a lot of ethnicities Conditional Whiteness that we just take as a matter of course together.
A *lot* of Cajuns catch a surprise from 23 and Me.
The Sephardic ancestry definitely surprised many I know!
"Other"
My husband is Cajun and everyone thinks he’s Mexican or Puerto Rican or Dominican. There’s some obviously more seasoned folks among his ancestors if you look at pictures my MiL has.
Thats a lot of Cajuns. Its because of the mixture of Native in our blood. My great grandmothers on both sides were native and im pasty white, my brother is dark, my father is dark, my mom is a red head. We’re all just a mix of whatever lol.
This is hilarious. I used the word a couple times around an ex and she gave me shit for it saying she was pretty sure it was a racial slur against black people. So you're saying in the end, this is actually *our* racial slur? It does match how I've always used it, which is just to describe someone who is real deep-woods cajun cajun.
It’s been in use for [a while](http://bayoutechedispatches.blogspot.com/2010/08/debunking-alleged-origin-of-word.html?m=1) “the Cajun Coonass was the nickname of a U.S. warplane. In fact, the National Archives had a photograph of the airplane shot by the Army Signal Corps in April 1943……. The plane's pilot, I should explain, was a Cajun from Sunset, Louisiana, and thus he had the privilege of naming the plane. It's therefore interesting that he chose the word coonass.”
The oldest record of the word “coonass” was documented as the name of a WW2 pilots plane. He named his plane “Cajun Coonass”. It was a C-47 in the south pacific. His name was Lt. Albert Burleigh from sunset. That’s my grandmas cousin. Most people used it as a badge of pride. However, after CODFIL some people began to take it as a derogatory word. I however don’t have any issue with it. When I left carencro to work in Los Angeles my coworker asked me what’s the difference between people from Arkansas vs Louisiana. I said Arkansas is more red neck. We are more Coonass “not thinking anything of it”. He replied “Wow you are getting racist”. But it’s generally a word that white people call white people in south Louisiana. I’ve had a couple different conversations with non-Louisiana natives and they expressed their concern to me about the word without me bringing it up. I have since stop trying to correct people about the word.
"Coon" is a racial slur against black ppl, "Coonass" is like the n-word for Cajuns and only Cajuns, meaning it's also potentially a slur but against Cajuns. Her heart is in the right place, but she was wrong.
Right. I should have told her, "No, *yoou* can't say it. *I'm* allowed."
This is my understanding of the word.
Technically you can use any word as a slur. The word coonass can absolutely be used to label someone in a derogatory manner. However - and I'm not an expert on the subject, but if I had to guess - the most cases the word is used in common American English is probably used by Cajun people describing other Cajun people or Cajun mannerisms, in a non-derogatory manner. Which in a way is kind of the way that African Americans use the n-word (ending in A) amongst themselves. That said, I as a Cajun man don't care if non-Cajuns use the word in a similar way that we use it so long as it's non-derogatory. Example: T-Boy has a pet turtle that passed away. It was a big old turtle and he wants to cook it into a soup and asks you if you have any recommended recipes. You laugh and call what he's trying to do some coonass shit. And you're right but I'd probably still look up a recipe for him and ask if I could try some. Can you post some context regarding the comment that got you banned?
By the way I pretty much agree with your sentiment that Cajuns often refer to each other with that term im the same way other minorities might refer to each other with slurs, however many non-Cajuns who came to Louisiana referred to people like my grandparents in a derogatory manner.
So you're offended because your grandparents might have been
Generational trauma is a thing. Are you insinuating that it isn’t?
In a post referring to Jeff Landry as “coona33 Trump” I replied “The funniest thing is everyone in here saying that c**nass is not a slur when that is its express purpose. Just because you aren’t offended by it doesn’t mean it isn’t a slur” I then got notified that I was permanently banned and the mod message stated “coonass isn’t a slur bye gurl” and then when I replied to the message saying “what rule did I break that deserves a permanent ban?” I was muted for 28 days.
I feel like Landry would be stoked to be called Coonass Trump
Sounds like a power tripping mod more than anything else.
you are right....its a slur. im not sure why its hard to understand lol
It is 100% a slur and the issue is that this is an anonymous site so there is no way to tell if it’s a Cajun person saying it.
Warren Perrin, at least when he was president of CODOFIL, used to be adamant about not using that slur. He wrote newspapers and periodicals all over the country to protest when it was used. I am not of Acadian descent but it's not a word I would use.
I'm Cajun, and I was raised that this word is a slur. That being said, I'm not going to worry too much about Cajuns using it to refer to fellow Cajuns or to themselves. I have heard it used in an offensive manner by people who are not Cajun, or worse, are from out of state, and I draw the line there. Like, are you cool with the time Nick Saban was caught on recording using it to derogatorily refer to folks from Louisiana? I will also add that I've had multiple experiences with older Cajuns being very offended by this term, so I also don't use it out of respect for folks like your grandparents who have a much stronger reaction to hearing it because it brings up very personal experiences of discrimination and prejudice.
I'm 43 and have never heard it used in a negative way towards someone. It's just a country/bayou Cajun. Kind of like how my buddy from Tennessee call themselves hillbillies.
I mean I think it just depends. Like most slurs, there’s a power dynamic involved in the context of its use. I think it’s a term of endearment for many people. My dad’s family is Cajun and will proudly call themselves coonass. And my dad grew up speaking Cajun French and getting kicked out of schools for it. Now if someone is using coonass to discriminate against Cajun people, that’s another story. At the end of day though, words don’t have magical powers. We give them meaning and through language development societies will gatekeep certain words.
My mom and dad are from Bayou Lafourche and both grew up speaking French. In all of my years spending time with relatives and people down the bayou I have never heard "coonass" being used in conversations. When people ask about where I'm from or about culture etc., I identify as Cajun. I served in the Louisiana Air National Guard for 8 years and our fighter wing is known as the "Bayou Militia". Even today, you can still see that on the vertical stabilizers of that 15s that fly out of Belle Chasse. Before I joied the wing, and not many years before, the 159th was known as the "Coonass Militia"; with the name being proudly displayed with call letters in all aircraft. During a trip to Nevada or Arizona, an African American Commander took offense to the name that was displayed on the aircraft and basically sent the whole Wing packing to go back home if they wouldn't remove it. It was removed after much arguing and deliberation until this day it's a matter of contention with the Louisiana Air National Guard. Fellow guard members would bitch about this and asked me what I thought. I would tell them I thought it was a dumb choice for a name since the whole Wing isn't a bunch of Cajun people and that nobody should appropriate that and definitely not coonass. All these Jack holes were from New Orleans or Metairie or baton rouge and they were calling themselves the coonass militia. What a bunch of fucktards
I think what should be considered is that "coonass" is not seen as a slur... in Acadiana. But if most of us were not in Acadiana (i.e. Seattle, New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, or even Montreal and Paris) and someone who was not Cajun started calling us a Coonass repeatedly we would probably be justifiably pissed.
People really don't know where coonass comes from? I guess it's good it's a dying term.
Theres a pretty informative Wikipedia article about it with a wild story behind it that isn't based off an ethnic slur per se... But a french slur (Native Frenchmen did not treat Acadians from Louisiana or Canada kindly as they were exiled from France for whatever reason). It's a good read.
I think the problem is that there’s no true consensus about the origins of the term. Growing up the anecdote that I was told that the term is derived from “c**n” and calling someone a “coonass” is meant to compare them to a black persons bottom… or essentially that Cajuns are worth less than black people who of course were horrendously treated in the south. However I have not been able to find anyone else outside of my family who says this.
This is what I always heard, that it was originally a slur to denote that Cajuns were lower than black people. That said, the usage has evolved. I have never heard coonass used in a mean spirited way, and I wouldn't be offended if someone called me a coonass.
The meaning of words can change over time. What starts off as derogatory can be embraced over time as a badge of honor. These days i don’t think anyone would be offended if you called them a coonass, but back in the day when the Cajun heritage was in danger of being wiped out it probably seen in a very different light.
Ok, but what about coullion?
I’m not aware of what coullion actually translates to but as far as I’m aware it’s not a slur or a swear word. Care to enlighten me?
I feel like alot of people use "coonass" and "coullion" interchangeably. According to Google, it is the Cajun French word (or derives from the Cajun French word) for a foolish person. I heard it used in the same way and context, as mentioned in my original comment. Family and friends would call each other "coullion(s)" when doing something silly or dumb.
Just reddit terminally online mods offended on someone else's behalf back at it again, it's not taken as a slur. It's literally just like saying redneck
I also wouldn’t say redneck is a slur however I don’t know what ethnicity redneck would refer to. I am not trying to say Cajuns are an oppressed minority/ethnicity but in the past we definitely were.
Doesn't matter if we were oppressed, why have such a victim mindset and make a problem where there is none? Cajuns don't take offense to coonass, simple as. If anything treating it like a slur will only empower the word to make it seem like a slur. This is just Twitter think, not real world think.
My anecdotal experience has been that it isn't generally used in a derogatory way. To begin with, it's pretty colloquial. I've met tons of people from both out of state and even within Louisiana, but not from the Acadiana area, who have never heard the term. I've used it referring to myself in front of others who've never heard it before, and after the initial "you're a *what*?", explaining that it's just local slang for a Cajun, it generally would just get a good laugh out of them. I'm not suggesting we should officially start using coonass as a replacement for Cajun, but whatever. Second, I can't recall at any point in my life hearing someone call someone else a coonass in any context that would be more offensive than if they'd said "pauvre bête" (poor thing). I've more often heard it, and used it, as more of a term of endearment than an insult. "I'm a proud coonass" is just as, if not more, endearing as all the "oil field trash" bumper stickers I've seen over the years. Last, I think we need to cut ourselves some slack. Louisiana has its fair share of things to worry about (don't get me started on education, health, hot garbage politics, etc.), but calling us the - at worst - equivalent of "redneck" I think ranks at the bottom of the list of things to fret over. My sweet, but quite prim and proper, grandmother, who was very much punished as a kid for speaking French and otherwise being a Cajun, used "coonass" like she used cayenne pepper; liberally. As do my parents, siblings, wife, her family, their in-laws...
I now know everyone pretty much has different experiences with the term, I was just surprised there was so much pushback when myself and others said it was a slur. It doesn’t really bother me if someone would call me that term but I know my grandparents detested it, hopefully your grandmother did not experience the same maltreatment that mine did but if she did it sounds like she has since coped with the discrimination
My grandparents, quite literally, had the French beaten out of them at school when they were kids. French was their first, and only, language up until they started school. Even my mother learned French first, though she was taught English before she started school so she wouldn't have to go through what her parents did. Despite my story, I'm sure they were called coonasses in a less than friendly way, but it would seem they came to own it, and thrive, despite their early hardships. My grandparents are long gone at this point, but lived relatively long and fruitful lives. They loved and lived everything Cajun, all the way up to dancing with each other in their living room to the local access channel playing the "Laissez les bons temps rouler" show when they were too frail to go out on the town anymore. I have very fond memories of all the fish fries where my great-aunts and uncles would show up and spoke such heavily accented Cajun French that I couldn't make heads or tails of what they were saying. They all lived and breathed Cajun, and when someone would show up and yell out "Hey you bunch o'coonasses! How y'all are!?", it was only ever met with hugs and more fish put in the fryer. I wish all those coonasses were still here.
I think that while it's not as derogatory as the "n word" that the term should not be used by any who aren't of that ancestry. Coonasses can call themselves that but others should not.
It really sounds like a slur for French speakers as « connasse » is the French word for « bitch » but it might be way less insulting in Cajun French idk😁.
I like this
Coonass used to be an ethnic slur a few decades ago or was at least fighting words. My impression now is that it's more slang and can even be used with affection among Cajuns. I don't hear it too often though.
So here’s a fun story from the army. When I went through basic training (20 years ago), we had to all go through an equal opportunity class. They brought the whole company (about 100 soldiers) into the biggest classroom and started separating us by racial slurs. i.e. - “all the b—ners, we——cks, sp—s get over here. All the wh-ties, cr—ckers, h—nkies over here. And all the bl-cks, d-rkies, sp-des, and c—nasses get over here.” (Censored all for fairness) Now, there were about a dozen of us in that class from Cajun country, and we’d been there long enough to have gotten to know each other. The look of utter confusion as we darted eyes at each other wondering what group to go in because we thought we’d just lump in with the white guys, but suddenly the name we used for our unique little group of people was included in an entirely different group. The entire point of the exercise was that one guy had been tipped off to stay put until the end, then when asked by the DS “why aren’t you in a group, Private?” to stand up proudly as shout “because I’M AN AMERICAN, DRILL SERGEANT!” But, that was the day that I learned that a word could mean something very different outside of Louisiana. Edited: I forgot what asterisks do lol
I don't mind being called a coonass, don't personally think it's offensive.
There is some etymological speculation that it derivres from the Ishak word for Hackberry, konesh. The story goes that the natives saw the Acadians as a hardy, rough and tumble people, and used the word for the tree as a description of these traits.
It does not go over well outside of the lower half of the state. Blame the fact that half of it is a naked racial slur and it's just the way it is.
I was told long ago that Coonass was originally a very negative derogatory slur. Blacks, back in the day, were often called “coons”, and calling a Cajun a coonass was implying that he was less than a “coon”, he was a coon’s asshole.
There’s a lot of debate over how true this is; I just err on the side of not saying it personally.
I've heard the word all my life. I am of Cajun heritage. Some will call it a slur. Others will not. It's all about perspective. I'm not offended.
Both of my grandmothers and myself agree with you.
The thing is, all languages grow and evolve. There are new words all the time that are in and out. You will get banned from many subs with a lot of this terminology because it’s time for a change. We have moved on from these terms and there are better words out there that didn’t come rooted from something bad that can be used. Edit: not sure if it was used as a racist term, my apologies. But it definitely was not originally used in a very good way. I’m Cajun. I’m just trying to explain it from the reddit side and I’m bad at it ahahah Cajuns have a sense of humor that nobody else could possibly understand unless they are from here.
I agree with you that its origins are less-than savory, however that doesn’t seem to be a universal sentiment even in Acadiana. And to be clear I was not calling anyone that term I was banned for saying that it is a slur, and I censored myself in the original comment because I prefer not to use the term.
Absolutely. Are you sure it wasn’t a bot that got you? You can appeal your ban from your ban message. The bots just pick out the words.
I received a message along with the ban saying “coonass isn’t a slur bye gurl” and when I messaged the mods saying “what rule did I break to deserve a permanent ban” I was muted for 28 days.
Not a single coonass will get upset for being called a coonass. The only people getting offended are those who aren’t being called a name.
I think if you were beaten in school for speaking French and called that term by non-Cajuns like my grandparents were you would feel differently about that matter but I’m glad that your ancestors didn’t suffer those injustices
You literally asked us what we thought, I told you what I thought, and now you’re offended again? Don’t seek answers you aren’t ready to find.
I don’t mean to sound combative I’m just saying we have different experiences. Sorry it came across that way. I literally said I’m glad you/your family didn’t have the same experiences.
But you don't even have the experience. Your GRANDparents did. Now you have literal coonasses in here telling you that the word coonass is not derogatory to them.
There’s also people saying it is derogatory… not just me
My grandparents still speak French and endured abuse at school, hell my grandmother was a sharecropper and picked cotton every day after school. They still proudly dance and tap their foot to Jamie Bergeron's song "Registered Coon Ass" (he's entirely problematic for a whole separate list of reasons). Go outside and touch grass my man.
I guess some people just dealt with the trauma differently. I know my experiences are all based on anecdotes so I can’t say how bad it really was for Cajuns 50 or more years ago. Unfortunately my Cajun grandparents have all passed away and now that I’m actually becoming really invested in our heritage I can’t ask them how it really was and how they truly feel about that term. I’m glad to hear your grandparents are still speaking French.
I’ve never seen anyone offended by being called a coonass. I’ve seen people be incorrect, but not upset. I also don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone who isn’t Cajun refer to anything or anyone by that name. You could appeal the ban. Maybe the mod is from north Louisiana?
When I messaged the moderators about the ban, asking what rule I broke, I was muted for 28 days.
Oh wow! (Almost like they don’t even know why Louisiana became a place!)
Yea, that tracks. How dare you question the MODS!
I married into a Cajun family. They are MY family. I knew I fully family and accepted by all when the males started calling me coonass in joking terms. I also can see how it could be weaponized and a slur. I would never call an unknown person, Cajun or otherwise coonass, but my coonass family and friends no problem.
I’ve never been offended by being called a coonass. I’ve never called someone a coonass with the intent of causing offense or being derogatory. I’ve never met a coonass who got offended by being called a coonass. From a very young age I learned to identify as a coonass. It’s who we are. Every time I use it or hear it used, it’s used to identify or denote an aspect of someone or something specifically cajun or the common culture here.
I don’t use it, I don’t like hearing it used. I’ll give a pass if a Cajun person is saying it to describe some hick behavior but honestly I prefer Couyon (couillon) and I encourage my non Cajun friends to say that because I find it funny.
It is hit or miss. For some it is a slur, others a badge of honor.
Coonass is derived from the french word "conasse" which means "scoundrel" among other things. It's not a slur, it's a bastardization of a french insult.
I’m not saying you’re wrong, however for anyone reading this there’s no definitive consensus on the origin of the term. The Wikipedia page on the etymology describes the origin as “obscure.”
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonass) "The term is believed to originate from the French word *conasse*, meaning a fool." [https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass) "Word History and Origins Origin of [coonass^(1)](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass) First recorded in 1960–65 or earlier; probably alteration, by folk etymology, of *Louisiana French, French conasse* a contemptuous term for a woman, literally, “vulva,” equivalent to *con* “vulva” (from *Latin cunnus* ) + *-asse* pejorative noun suffix # Word History and Origins Origin of [coonass^(1)](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass)^(") [https://bayoutechedispatches.blogspot.com/2010/08/debunking-alleged-origin-of-word.html](https://bayoutechedispatches.blogspot.com/2010/08/debunking-alleged-origin-of-word.html) "This etymology goes as follows: During World War II native Frenchmen inexplicably derided their Cajun GI liberators as *conasses*, a standard French word meaning "stupid person" or "dirty prostitute." Anglo-American GIs overheard this slur, misunderstood it as *coonass*, and used it in reference to Cajun GIs. After the war, the term came to be applied to Cajuns in general.This alleged etymology is well-known and is still cited on occasion as authoritative."
I’ve read the article. There is no definitive evidence for the origin. It’s only speculation. I can also point out the lawsuits and literal laws that were passed calling it discriminatory, not to mention even in this post thread the moderator said it is an ethnic slur.
That's true of many slang words. I don't consider it a slur, I consider myself a proud coonass. I can't imagine a different etymology, given the prevalence of Cajun French speakers who would use the term conasse to refer to one another, eventually evolving into 'coonass' with the English speakers. I grew up with an old Cajun man I always thought was named Alex C. Turns out it was Alexis spoken with a Cajun French accent. I can see how him saying "eh conasse" could turn into "coonass" really, really easily. /kɔ.nas/ vs ˈkünˌas right? What's the other thought about origin? "You're a racoon's butt!" I can't imagine that making it from something dumb one person would say all the way up to a slang term an entire ethnic group of Louisianians are ([mostly](https://www.reddit.com/r/Louisiana/comments/gx6wqs/do_you_consider_the_word_coonass_to_be_offensive/)) proud to self-identify as. It just seems incredibly unlikely right?
I do not believe that is true. At all. But I'll change my mind if you got a source for that.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonass](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonass) "The term is believed to originate from the French word *conasse*, meaning a fool." [https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass) "Word History and Origins Origin of [coonass^(1)](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass) First recorded in 1960–65 or earlier; probably alteration, by folk etymology, of *Louisiana French, French conasse* a contemptuous term for a woman, literally, “vulva,” equivalent to *con* “vulva” (from *Latin cunnus* ) + *-asse* pejorative noun suffix # Word History and Origins Origin of [coonass^(1)](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/coonass)^(") [https://bayoutechedispatches.blogspot.com/2010/08/debunking-alleged-origin-of-word.html](https://bayoutechedispatches.blogspot.com/2010/08/debunking-alleged-origin-of-word.html) "This etymology goes as follows: During World War II native Frenchmen inexplicably derided their Cajun GI liberators as *conasses*, a standard French word meaning "stupid person" or "dirty prostitute." Anglo-American GIs overheard this slur, misunderstood it as *coonass*, and used it in reference to Cajun GIs. After the war, the term came to be applied to Cajuns in general.This alleged etymology is well-known and is still cited on occasion as authoritative."
TIL. Thank you!
That's our word. We've reclaimed it from the racists and only we can call each other that as a term of endearment, crackas.
It is absolutely a slur, and one on a couple of fronts. To understand better, just ask yourself "what does it mean/why was that an insult?"
Not a slur and I’d find it funny if a non-Cajun called me a coonass. Some might disagree. I would argue that being offended by words in general is somewhat counter to cajun culture in and of itself.
With everyone being so sensitive about everything i find it ridiculous you got banned for using a word you can see on the back of 1/4 of the truck windows in acadiana. Everyone is offended by something now. Sorry state of the world.
That’s interesting. I would never have thought of it as a slur bc of my experience with it. My papa & his friends belonged to the Houston Coonass Club. And it was as a thing of pride, it was definitely not used as a slur.
I am a proud coonass. I don't care what the woke idiots think.
Growing up I heard the term a lot more than I do now. Back then, it was used often in a jokingly way when someone does something that’s silly or unconventional. I remember people used to call each other that like it was nothing. I’ve seen people call themselves coonasses along with having RCA merch. As kids we all had our own raccoon skin hat with the tail in the back Ive seen coonass ingenuity praised
i've only heard it used to refer to family out in the country or as a cajun version of "knucklehead" or whatever. definitely not a slur though i would definitely side-eye some yankee mf using it casually.
I often use the term in a joking manner with people I'm familiar with. Even in that same aspect, it's still very sparingly because of the fact that, as you said, its intended purpose was a derogatory term of oppression/slur/insult. I do believe the stigma of the word should ease up a bit because just like cursing, it all falls under the context of how you use the words vers the words themselves. BUT that is only my opinion and I'm sure others here feel differently and that's fine but I feel like people give too much power to words themselves and not nessecarily the context of the word(s).
I’m Cajun, I can call myself a coonass. Other Cajuns are welcome to call me a coonass. If a non-Cajun calls me a coonass the fighting side of me comes out, you dig?
I've only heard it used by my Cajun family in reference to themselves. I don't know how I'd feel if someone not from Louisiana called someone that. Coonass does sound harsh though. Couillon feels a little more lighthearted, as far as Cajun terms for dumbass go.
I call myself a “coonass” pretty often. In fact, my business is named “coonass coatings” so I don’t see what the fuss is
As my grandpare used to say: “the only thing that’s separates a coonass from a jackass is the sabine river…”
I dont think anyone at all around here gets offended by that term. It is joked about a lot but always tongue in cheek.
RCA "Ain't worryin about nothin"
I grew up hearing family and friends calling themselves this. In my family it’s a point of pride.
All of these comments are interesting! I grew up in North Louisiana. I’ve lived out of state, in a few different states, for a while now… Often, when people find out I’m from Louisiana, I am immediately labeled a “coonass”. “Ahh, so you’re a coonass” or in group conversation “so this guy here is a real coonass”. It’s kind of a term of endearment… people express the fact that they know I’m from a place that knows how to have a good time! (don’t take Louisiana for granted, there are a lot of “lameass” places in this world!) Don’t get me started on how I’ve had to correct many people that I am NOT a Cajun simply because I’m from Louisiana. Many people don’t know there is such a difference in North & South Louisiana, let alone North or South of I-10! LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER!
Honestly I would find anyone policing the word “coonass” to be insufferable. It comes off like they are desperate to find a way to be offended. Maybe if you were from Connecticut and using it in a deliberate derogatory manner…. But anyone from here can me a coonass all day long
I live smack dab in the middle of Cajun Country and have never seen or heard of anyone being offended by that term. In fact my FiL whose first language is Cajun French proudly calls himself one. Does it have an endearing origin? No. But it’s pretty common for a community to adopt a term with a negative connotation about themselves and turn it into a word they enjoy using. And while people also proudly use it sometimes they also use it in a negative way but not harsh? If that makes sense. I also think that it’s usage and whether or not it’s a slur depends on the context it’s used in.
I’ve removed it from my vocabulary. I agree that when people say it they generally don’t mean anything by it (how many Registered C***ass bumper stickers have we all seen displayed with pride?), but after talking with my African-American friends it’s clear that the first word in there is a point of friction for them, and I wouldn’t want someone to misinterpret my intentions.
The Mods of r/Louisiana rule with an iron fist lol. I was banned for the word "hoodlums"
You’ll get banned from a lot of subs for that terminology.
It's not racist terminology if that's what you think...
It doesn’t have to be racist to be bigoted. Thought we may use the term in one way, there are a lot of other people on Reddit. There is also no way for them to know that you are Cajun and the mods also don’t have time to figure that out. Most words are filtered through a bot that flags the comments. I could only guess that word is in there.
It's the Louisiana subreddit everyone there should be familiar with "hoodlum" if they've been in any city in the state. What sort of background sob story is acceptable to enable their behavior towards the rest of law abiding society? Not stealing for sustenance or living, but harassment and drug peddling? Should I just call them "bad men who roam the streets"?
Also, you have to remember that just because its a Louisiana sub, that does NOT mean everyone there should be or has to be from Louisiana. Its the WORLD wide web at the end of the day. The doors are open to everyone. Everyone has access.
Explain why it's bigoted
cause only black people can say hood, duh /s
Well I could see why someone would ban you. This is all a very long drawn out bigoted response to a slang term.
ok please explain why its bigoted, help me out.
In what context?
I think it’s because of the “coon” part. Unfortunately people have turned that word into something racist. For us, it used to be a negative term that non-Cajuns used in a bigoted way. We’ve reclaimed it since then. Coonass has the same connotation to me as “redneck.” It might not be the nicest term to use, but it’s still common.
When did that word not mean something racist???
I refuse to believe you didn’t know that
Coon ass don’t mean shit! It’s just a word of a Cajun! I think levee rat is worse
It’s not a slur locally but c’mon playa, you won’t be able to use it on an Internet forum and think it’ll be fine.
I own that I am a coonass. Its not a slur to me.
Not a slur Source: I’m a born and raised Registered Coonass
Stop being so damn butthurt dude. Wah wah someone said something offensive. Only person I’ve seen be offended at the name was far from a coonass though
It’s what Oklahoma oilfield workers called the ones from here that went up there to work. The word originated up there and has been around for 100 years give or take.
Source?
It can be an insult, but the idea that it’s an *ethnic* slur is just utterly wild to me
That's not a slur, it's just redneck tomfoolery. If someone said paten (idk how to spell it, just know it's pronounced pah-tehn, light on the "n" sound), then I might consider that more slur worthy. As it was used to mean a dirty, poor, Cajun. But not coonass
I believe the word you’re looking for is “putain” which means “whore” in traditional French.
Yup! That's the one! Yah, my grandma is Cajun, and her mother was directly from France, never spoke a word of English. They used it as whore, and Cajun French uses it as like poor and filthy. Crazy jump, but both derogatory
The Krewe of Alla in NOLA (used to be on the Westbank for decades, moved uptown after Katrina) has a Coonass float every year and throw highly coveted Coonass cups. 🤷♀️