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The Learning Kingdom's Cool Word of the Day for June 28, 1999
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zydeco [n. ZY-duh-koe]
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In southern Louisiana, there is a musical style that combines French,
Caribbean, and blues, called zydeco. It's foot-stompin' music that might
include fiddles, accordions, and even a washboard or two.
Until the 1950s, this musical style was known as "la la music." But then
came a very popular tune called "Les Haricots Sont Pas Sale" (The Beans Are
Not Salty), a snappy tune about how tough the times were when there was not
even salt for the beans. The song was made popular by Clifton Chenier, the
"King of Zydeco."
How do beans relate to zydeco? The first two words "Les Haricots" (The
Beans) when pronounced with a strong French Creole accent, sound quite a
bit like "zydeco." So, from unsalted beans came a musical genre's name.
More about zydeco music:
http://www.pbs.org/riverofsong/music/episode-4.html
http://www.there1.com/zydeco.html
http://members.xoom.com/ghayman/articles/a980526.htm
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