zydeco

[ zahy-di-koh ]

noun

1. a blues-influenced type of Cajun dance music popular in Louisiana and Texas, and usually played on accordion, guitar, and violin.

zydeco

/ ˈzaɪdəˌkəʊ /

noun

1. a type of Black Cajun music

Word History and Origins

Origin of zydeco¹

1955–60, Americanism; said to represent Louisiana French les haricots in the dance-tune title Les haricots sont pas salés

Example Sentences

In the distance we hear trails of zydeco, and as we come around a bend we’re greeted by an outsize, gregarious alligator, his welcoming green arms swinging to the tune.

From Los Angeles Times

In New Orleans, he spends time with Jeffery Broussard of the Creole Cowboys, a zydeco player who embraces the genre’s localized working-class origins.

From Seattle Times

Perhaps his most notable discovery in Louisiana was Clifton Chenier, who became known as the leading exponent of the mix of rhythm and blues, soul and Cajun music known as zydeco.

From New York Times

In it she blends marital strife, Louisiana’s zydeco, a phantom named Becky and more in a sonic and visual gumbo fans didn’t realize they were starving for.

From Washington Post

Another annual event is the market’s own Mardi Gras celebration in mid-February, with live blues and zydeco as well as Louisiana-style food.

From New York Times