Lagniappe

Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Word of the Day

What is Lagniappe?

noun
A small gift given to a customer by a merchant; a bonus or unexpected extra.

Pronunciation

US pronunciation: /ˈlæn.jæp/
UK pronunciation: /ˈlæn.jæp/
Slow pronunciation: LAN-yap

Meaning Explained

Lagniappe is the delightful little extra — the baker’s thirteenth roll, the surprise perk.

Why This Word?

Chosen to celebrate generosity in service and design.

Examples of Use

Here's how this word appears in everyday language:

  • They added stickers as a lagniappe for subscribers.
  • The lagniappe turned first-time buyers into fans.
  • A post-credits scene was cinematic lagniappe.

Word Origins

From Louisiana French, likely from Quechua yapa “something added” via Spanish la ñapa

A regionalism now widely appreciated.

First appearance in English: mid-19th century (U.S.)

Word Family

Related forms of this word:

  • Noun: perk

    A travel perk sweetened the deal.

  • Noun: bonus

    The bonus surprised everyone.

  • Noun: freebie

    A freebie magnetized foot traffic.

Around the World

How this word appears in other languages:

  • Spanish: ñapa / yapa
  • French: lagniappe
  • German: Draufgabe / kleines Extra
  • Italian: mancia extra / regalino
  • Portuguese: agrado / brinde

If you Already Know This Word

If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:

Boon

Benefit or favor; lagniappe is a little extra.

Gratuity

Tip from customer; lagniappe is from merchant.

Perquisite

Job-related benefit; lagniappe is a gift-like extra.

Fun Facts

  • “Baker’s dozen” is a classic lagniappe: twelve plus one.
  • Mark Twain popularized the term in travel writing.

Cultural Usage

  • Lagniappe is associated with New Orleans merchant tradition.
  • SaaS teams design “delighters” as a form of lagniappe.

Common Mistakes

Often misspelled “lanyap”; keep the “gn.”

Micro Story

The café’s lagniappe was a tiny lemon cookie.