Yat Wit

"They say when you enter New Orleans, you leave the United States. Yat Wit leaves no doubt that New Orleans is an enigma with its own culture and language. . . . Everyone who crosses into the city limits should be required to buy a copy of Yat Wit on the spot." -Bob Walker, WTIX-FM, New Orleans

Derived from the common greeting, "Where y'at?" a yat is a New Orleanian who speaks with a distinct phraseology and pronunciation. This candid book honors the yat with a collection of humorous essays that detail the quirks and perks of life in New Orleans. From the dilemma of deciding who gets the third and final beignet to the battle for plastic beads during Mardi Gras, this lighthearted compilation covers both eccentric and everyday experiences.

Twenty two laugh-out-loud chapters include such vignettes as "Spell Check," which laments the way Word documents attempt to correct common New Orleans terms. "Mardi Gras Recycled," offers creative suggestions for parade-goers wondering what to do with their catches, while "Season According to Taste" notes that New Orleanians mark the times of the year by such delicacies as king cake and crawfish. In an essay titled "Big Easy Etiquette," Miss Emilie Peaust provides readers with the manners necessary for avoiding a collision with a streetcar, eating a sloppy roast beef po' boy, and poaching a ladder during a Carnival parade.

Whether enjoyed by a long-time local or a visitor, Yat Wit reminds readers why New Orleanians remain resilient in the effort to resurrect and preserve their beloved city.