Coonass

[Angry Ewok]

Term of endearment or racial slur? Perhaps both? Second question - have you been to the Bayou?

[Sassbox]

Born and reared on the bayou.  I've only ever heard it used as a term of endearment and never as a racial slur.

[Leontheslut]

When raccoons get on the back porch mama just sweep em off with a broom

[Angry Ewok]

Born and reared on the bayou.  I've only ever heard it used as a term of endearment and never as a racial slur.

I really appreciate you bumping this thread up - I'm really interested to hear what folks outside of my bubble have to say about it. All my life, in all of my trips to Louisiana, I had never heard of "coonass" being a slur until a year or two ago when Nick Saban said it and the papers went apeshit.

When raccoons get on the back porch mama just sweep em off with a broom

Mrs. Gump had some courage, coons are prone to be rabid. It's a shame, too, because they're really interesting creatures. In the past, we have had a couple mosey up to the patio to nibble on cat food. I've always wanted to pet one.

[ManNamedTruth]

I have no idea what a coonass is.

[capt. scotty]

As someone who has lived his entire life (minus 1 summer at myrtle beach) above the Mason Dixon line, I have never heard of this as a term of endearment. What is it even supposed to mean exactly? How can it possibly be a compliment?!

If I would hear someone say that, my interpretation would be negative of it. I think of it as a racial slur and something my grandad says, who also calls black people: boogies, jungle bunnies, monkeys, and jiggaboos, calls sitting and fishing "n*gg*r fishing", and brazil nuts "n*gg*r toes".

[ManNamedTruth]

I have no idea what a coonass is.

Or rather, I don't understand how its a term of endearment.

[Vadie Stark]

Well, we got coons out here in Californy and when they get in the house we put this guy on their ass.

[ManNamedTruth]

[Vadie Stark]

;D

[Isobella]

You already know the answer to this question.

[aMillionDreams]

Is that what you call all your black friends?   ::)


The next chapter in "Brad tries to prove to himself he's not a racist".  Good luck, Brad.

[Sassbox]

I have never heard of an African American or other minority referred to as a coonass, hence my statement that it's not a racial slur.  Friends refer to other friends "down the bayou" as coonasses, eg "my coonass friend, Boudreaux, is comin' for dinner" etc.

[Vadie Stark]

I have never heard of an African American or other minority referred to as a coonass, hence my statement that it's not a racial slur.  Friends refer to other friends "down the bayou" as coonasses, eg "my coonass friend, Boudreaux, is comin' for dinner" etc.

More than one meaning for words?  mmmmmmm......... interesting :P

[searchinbig]

First time I heard coon was from Granny as a child. I lived next to Paterson, NJ. She was not referring to raccoons.

Never could understand that.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A "coonass" bumper sticker.Coonass, or Coon-ass, is an epithet used in reference to a person of Cajun ethnicity.

Although many Cajuns use the word in regard to themselves, other Cajuns view the term as an ethnic slur against the Cajun people, especially when used by non-Cajuns. Socioeconomic factors appear to influence how Cajuns are likely to view the term: working-class Cajuns tend to regard the word "coonass" as a badge of ethnic pride; whereas middle- and upper-class Cajuns are more likely to regard the term as insulting or degrading, even when used by fellow Cajuns in reference to themselves.[1] (In Sociolinguistics, this type of behavior is termed covert prestige.)

Despite an effort by Cajun activists to stamp out the term, it can be found on T-shirts, hats, and bumper stickers throughout Acadiana, the 22-parish Cajun homeland in south Louisiana.[1]

[Vadie Stark]

First time I heard coon was from Granny as a child. I lived next to Paterson, NJ. She was not referring to raccoons.

Never could understand that.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A "coonass" bumper sticker.Coonass, or Coon-ass, is an epithet used in reference to a person of Cajun ethnicity.

Although many Cajuns use the word in regard to themselves, other Cajuns view the term as an ethnic slur against the Cajun people, especially when used by non-Cajuns. Socioeconomic factors appear to influence how Cajuns are likely to view the term: working-class Cajuns tend to regard the word "coonass" as a badge of ethnic pride; whereas middle- and upper-class Cajuns are more likely to regard the term as insulting or degrading, even when used by fellow Cajuns in reference to themselves.[1] (In Sociolinguistics, this type of behavior is termed covert prestige.)

Despite an effort by Cajun activists to stamp out the term, it can be found on T-shirts, hats, and bumper stickers throughout Acadiana, the 22-parish Cajun homeland in south Louisiana.[1]

Great post! Should some words be stamped out?

[Sassbox]

I suppose it can be used as a slur, I was simply saying that in my experience (family in Louisiana since the 1720s), I've never heard it used as one.

Guess this is also a good time to point out that not everyone from Louisiana is Cajun.  Cajuns are only descendants of those who were expelled from the north during the Grande Derangement.

[Penny Lane]

it's DEFINITELY a racial slur in Ohio

[ALady]

First time I heard coon was from Granny as a child. I lived next to Paterson, NJ. She was not referring to raccoons.

Never could understand that.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A "coonass" bumper sticker.Coonass, or Coon-ass, is an epithet used in reference to a person of Cajun ethnicity.

Although many Cajuns use the word in regard to themselves, other Cajuns view the term as an ethnic slur against the Cajun people, especially when used by non-Cajuns. Socioeconomic factors appear to influence how Cajuns are likely to view the term: working-class Cajuns tend to regard the word "coonass" as a badge of ethnic pride; whereas middle- and upper-class Cajuns are more likely to regard the term as insulting or degrading, even when used by fellow Cajuns in reference to themselves.[1] (In Sociolinguistics, this type of behavior is termed covert prestige.)

Despite an effort by Cajun activists to stamp out the term, it can be found on T-shirts, hats, and bumper stickers throughout Acadiana, the 22-parish Cajun homeland in south Louisiana.[1]

I wonder if the Louisiana term is derived from a French/Cajun word, unlike the Yankee version?

Definitely a slur where I'm from (upper Midwest).

[Vadie Stark]

Wouldn't say it in Oak Park, The Fillmore, or South Central.
Might say it about a raccoon's rear end tho' here in the backyard.