dialectlyregional american english
SearchRegionsMap
AboutRegionsSoda vs pop vs cokeMapSuggest a wordMobileDonateVolunteerPartnersInstagram (soloviy)ContactPrivacyTermsllms.txt
Dialectly — a dictionary of American regional English. Free, open, growing.
HomeSearchRegionsMapSuggest
Home/Cajun Country/bayou

bayou

Loanword

Meaning
Louisiana: a slow-moving creek or marshy waterway.
Type
Loanword
Used in
Cajun Country, Louisiana, Deep South

What does “bayou” mean

A bayou is a slow-moving body of water, typically a creek, secondary watercourse, or marshy lake outlet, found across the Gulf Coast and especially Louisiana. The word entered English from Louisiana French, which borrowed it from the Choctaw 'bayuk' meaning small stream.

Where it's used

More from this region

lagniappemake groceriesbanquettefais do-dopo'boyboudinpiroguechersuck the headgris-griswhere y'atzydeco

Comments

Loading comments…