-eaux
Encyclopedia
-eaux is the standard French language
plural form of nouns ending in "-eau", e.g. eau → eaux, chateau → chateaux, gateau → gateaux.
In the USA, it is also used widely for as an ending for Cajun
surnames.
surnames, such as Babineaux, Boudreaux, Breaux, Legeaux, Marceaux, Robicheaux and Thibodeaux. This combination of letters is pronounced with a long "O" sound (oʊ).
This claim has been disputed by the historian Carl Brasseaux, who insists that the "-eaux" ending was one of many possible ways to standardize Cajun surnames ending in an "O" sound. Brasseaux claims that Judge Paul Briant is most responsible for the "-eaux" ending during his oversight of the 1820 U.S. Census
in Louisiana and that the "x" ending is completely arbitrary.
Several surnames end in -eau (the standard French spelling), especially surnames that start with "C", as in Cousineau, a common Cajun surname.
The "-eaux" ending is used among residents of south Louisiana
as a marker of their Cajun heritage, particularly at sporting events for Louisiana State University
and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
on signs like "Geaux Tigers
" or "Geaux Cajuns
.", being pronounced as "Go Tigers" or "Go Cajuns".
Steve-O
's line of shoes, labeled "Sneaux Shoes", are also pronounced ˈ (snow shoes).
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
plural form of nouns ending in "-eau", e.g. eau → eaux, chateau → chateaux, gateau → gateaux.
In the USA, it is also used widely for as an ending for Cajun
Cajun
Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
surnames.
American surnames
This is a common ending in the United States for historically CajunCajun
Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
surnames, such as Babineaux, Boudreaux, Breaux, Legeaux, Marceaux, Robicheaux and Thibodeaux. This combination of letters is pronounced with a long "O" sound (oʊ).
United States spelling and use
Although there is debate about the exact emergence of this spelling in the United States, it has been claimed that the spelling originated from immigrants who did not speak or read English having to make an "x" mark at the end of their printed name in order to sign a legal document. Since many Cajun names of French origin already ended in "-eau," the names' endings eventually became standardized as "-eaux."This claim has been disputed by the historian Carl Brasseaux, who insists that the "-eaux" ending was one of many possible ways to standardize Cajun surnames ending in an "O" sound. Brasseaux claims that Judge Paul Briant is most responsible for the "-eaux" ending during his oversight of the 1820 U.S. Census
United States Census
The United States Census is a decennial census mandated by the United States Constitution. The population is enumerated every 10 years and the results are used to allocate Congressional seats , electoral votes, and government program funding. The United States Census Bureau The United States Census...
in Louisiana and that the "x" ending is completely arbitrary.
Several surnames end in -eau (the standard French spelling), especially surnames that start with "C", as in Cousineau, a common Cajun surname.
The "-eaux" ending is used among residents of south Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
as a marker of their Cajun heritage, particularly at sporting events for Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, or UL Lafayette, is a coeducational, public research university located in Lafayette, Louisiana, in the heart of Acadiana...
on signs like "Geaux Tigers
LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers are the athletic teams of Louisiana State University. They participate in the NCAA's Division I, in the Southeastern Conference. It fields teams in 14 varsity sports . Its official team nickname is the Fighting Tigers and the school mascot is Mike the Tiger...
" or "Geaux Cajuns
Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns
The Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette...
.", being pronounced as "Go Tigers" or "Go Cajuns".
Steve-O
Steve-O
Steve-O is an American stunt performer and television personality. His entertainment career is mostly centered around his performance stunts on the American TV series Jackass and accompanying movies....
's line of shoes, labeled "Sneaux Shoes", are also pronounced ˈ (snow shoes).