New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-06
WHAT "LAGNIAPPE" MEANS.
Bonus with Purchase an Old New-0rleans
Custom

Many requests have been made. asking for the
origin. the meaning the history Of the word
'lagniappe.''
In answer to these correspondents IL may be said
that 'lagniappe" is purely local institution. and
the word itself Is localized one. signfying
bonus. generally in kind. given to a customer with
each purchase-some trifiing article added gratu-
tOusly to purchase in the retail shops OF the cit
or the public markets
For the origin OF the custom OF giving 'lagniappe
and the history OF the word must go back 10
the early Colonial traditions OF louisiana The old
Creole legend runs that when Louisiana coded
to Spain the Spanish vendors opened their shops
In the French quarter side by side with the old
French marchands. A great rivalry sprang up be-
tween them.
In the quarter lived an old Spanish gentleman
who had a pet monkey Whenever he went to make
his purchases of groceries provisions he took his
monkey with him. Joco. the monkey was called.
great thief. While his master would be
making his purchases he would quickly seize upon
the nearest article that suited his fancy. nuts.
fruits. candy or the like and eagerly devOur them
He was quick and dexterOus that he would
nave the article between his teeth before his mas
ter or the vender would be aware Now. the Co
lonial Spanish had provincial word. Eel niape.'
signifying who Is skilful dexterous- Joco be-
came so we'll known in the stores for his great
dextertty in grasping whatever came in his reach
nieknames called him Fl Niape.
in buying. would appear with his monkey. he
would conclude his purchases the marchandS would
hand him a stick OF candy. handful OF nuts or
the Ike saying This is for FL Nape" The little
ec see hosF he Sg ksy get to S2s OF aR6
chase for Eel niape."
The custom grew; and as, the two races. French
and Spanish amalgamated. the CreOles softened
the old eel niape" into the haIf-Freuch half
Spanish lagniappe the term used to-day.
The pleasant institution OF this petty gratuity
was looked upon as such a gracious and kindly
custom that II took firm root among the various
nationalties that poured into New-Orleans after
the American occupation. Bold must be the vender
who would refuse in New-Orleans to give 'lagn-
iappe' to the little child who holds it's hand IN
confident expectation. In many shops IL Is used to
encourage custom. To such extent had this
gone some years that bill introduced
into the legislature to abolish ''lagniappe."
There was such hue and cry in favor OF the old
custom that the bill postponed indefinitely. IL
was declared "lagntappe" was one Of our own
Louisiana institutions. peculiar to oursevesa gen.
erous, Oldtime custom that in its heartedness
had nothing in common with the mercenary spirit
OF the age.
Other things might go. but 'lagniappe' must
stay. And so IL did. kindly relic Of a day that Is
gone, custom that often puzzles the stranger, but
which has only to be explained TO him TO make
him more than ever pleased with the warmth and
the glow that come from the heart Of this Franco
Spanish city in the bend OF the crescent.-(New-
Orleans Picayune.