I know that this post “backpeddles” a bit, but as long as no one's posted recently I thought I'd throw it out there.

“Cajun” Adj., pronounced like the proper noun “Kay” and the final syllable of “dungeon.”

This curiosity is the corruption of the French adjective, ”Acadien (~ne [fem.]),” pronounced “Ah~ka~d'yen (~dee~yen [fem.]).” The French settled in Maritime Canada in 16Ø4 & called the land by the Indian name. During the next century they became properous, both as farmers & as parents. By 1713 the entire area fell permanently under English rule (The Treaty of Utrecht; Acadians wouldd not swear allegiance to the British Crown but instead pledged neutrality in Englands conflict with France.) & when, in 1755, they Crown saw another war looming on the horizon, they confiscated all Acadian~held land & business. Fearing the forced deportation that effectively split~up families, many fled into the woods where the Micmac Indians aided them in either reaching Quebec Province or outfitted them to travel down the Mississippi River.

Just as other cultures have their Diasporas, which their elders refer to as if it were yesterday, we (My paternal grandmother was a Bourg; her mother, Ozenne; her mother, Robichaud.) grow up hearing of Le Grand Dérangement. For further reading I recommend AcadianCulturalSociety & Evangeline.

WHEW! Here Endeth the Lesson.

>;~}