What Does 'Who Dat' Mean? Origin and History of 'Who Dat'

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New Orleans Saints fans in Miami post game Who Dat chant

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As the New Orleans Saints head into the NFC Conference final, many Saints fans will be shouting 'Who Dat?" to the heavens. No doubt, many people outside of the Crescent City will be asking, "What does 'Who Dat' mean."

The phrase "Who Dat?" has been a rallying cry for the New Orleans Saints for years. The entire phrase is actually, "Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?"

So how did "Who Dat" become associated with the Saints? No one's quite sure. Many think the phrase was first used by other local football teams such as Southern University. Several other schools in the area claim to have originally used "Who Dat" at games. By the mid-80s, the New Orleans Saints adopted the phrase and it has become an indelible part of the team's identity. New Orleans Saints fans across the world refer to themselves as members of the "Who Dat Nation."

The history of "Who Dat" extends far beyond football. The term may date back to the late 1800s when it was used in minstrel shows and vaudeville acts. The phrase later got picked up by jazz musicians. While the phrase may have originated with minstrel show skits that portrayed African-American in a negative light, the phrase managed to lose its stigma and become part of Louisiana vernacular.