Author Archives: ggalo

Low Country Boil

I don’t know why they call it a low country boil. Probably because it comes from Lousiana, in the swampland. Anyways, it’s a south eastern thing, and you do it outside traditionally in a big old pot. It is often accompanied by bonfires and lots of alcohol.

My dad fills the pot with water and Old Bay seasoning (very important) and fills it with snow crab legs, crawfish, shrimp, eggs, corn, spicy sausage, and potatoes. And, while it’s cooking everybody is drinking and playing games like cornhole to pass the time. When it’s finally done cooking, we pull the big foldable outdoor table out and line it with newspaper and empty the contents of the drained pot directly on the table. Everyone gathers around, and its basically a free-for-all food grab – usually without plates or utensils – where we talk and grub out.

Pro tip: the best way to eat is crawfish is to take it, twist the tail off and suck on the head, getting all the delicious residual juices of the boil.

Context: [informant] I was raised in Florida and we do this for family, birthdays, or whatever, usually in the summer.

Analysis: Having been to a low country boil I can attest that the informant is spot on with their example. The Old Bay seasoning seems to be a staple in a country boil, and the process can get really messy, but fun. Although the seafood is a central component, I think one of the biggest draws of the boil is the social aspect of being surrounded by friends and family, pigging out without the rules associated with traditional dinners. No body is judging you, food is falling on the floor, but nobody cares… you are just having a good time.

qui vole un oeuf vole un boeuf – Quebec Proverb

French: qui vole un oeuf vole un boeuf

Translation: Whoever steals an egg steals an ox

Meaning: [informant] if a person steals a small thing it is likely that later he will steal a more important thing

Context: Informant is of French Canadian decent, born and raised in Montreal Quebec. She came to the US in her mid-twenties, and Quebecois proverbs are central to her upbringing and something she employs in her career as a life coach. This proverb was casually shared with me over lunch with the informant.

Thoughts: In addition to the informant’s ascribed meaning, I took it to mean that since a small egg can grow into mighty ox, that stealing something small of little value today might be worth something great in the future. For example $10 could have been worth 1 bitcoin way back when; however that same bitcoin now would yield tens of thousands of dollars. So just because a wrongdoing is small, doesn’t mean it won’t have large implications.

Petit train va loi – Quebec Proverb

French: Petit train va loi

Translation:  little train goes far

Meaning: slowly but surely

Context: Informant is of French Canadian decent, born and raised in Montreal Quebec. She came to the US in her mid-twenties, and Quebecois proverbs are central to her upbringing and something she employs in her career as a life coach. This proverb was casually shared with me over lunch with the informant. She uses this proverb when clients downplay their ability to do something.

Thoughts: This proverbs seems to capture the collective sprit of popular sayings such as “size doesn’t matter,” “consistency is key,” and “it’s not a race, it’s a marathon.” The size of the train doesn’t matter, all it has to do is just keep chugging along and it will reach it’s goals. Endurance and determination are greater than strength.

Péché avoué est à moitié pardonné – Quebec Proverb

French: Péché avoué est à moitié pardonné

Translation: confessed sin is half forgiven

Meaning: [informant] A confessed fault will be judged with more leniency

Context: Informant is of French Canadian decent, born and raised in Montreal Quebec. She came to the US in her mid-twenties, and Quebecois proverbs are central to her upbringing and something she employs in her career as a life coach. This proverb was casually shared with me over lunch with the informant.

Thoughts: Apart for leniency, I took this proverb to sort of provide a roadmap to make amends with someone. For example the first step to making something right is to confess.

Chaque torchon trouve sa guenille – Quebec Proverb

French: Chaque torchon trouve sa guenille

Translation: Each dishcloth finds its own rag

Meaning: Even the deplorable find a soul mate

Context: Informant is of French Canadian decent, born and raised in Montreal Quebec. She came to the US in her mid-twenties, and Quebecois proverbs are central to her upbringing and something she employs in her career as a life coach. This proverb was casually shared with me over lunch with the informant. 

Thoughts: This is a lot like, “to each his own” or “birds of a feather flock together” but with a negative connotation. Due to the lack of context provided by the informant, I interpreted this proverb as being used to console someone that might have been cheated on.