Who Dat Nation

Lore & Background

The phrase "who dat" has a long history. The earliest documented use in Louisiana is from a July 30, 1852, New Orleans Daily Picayune article. The chant originated in minstrel shows and vaudeville acts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was taken up by jazz and big band performers in the 1920s and '30s. Early references appear in the 19th-century poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar. By 1983 the cheer had become so popular among fans that the New Orleans Saints organization officially adopted it during the tenure of coach Bum Phillips, and Aaron Neville (along with local musicians Sal and Steve Monistere and Carlo Nuccio) recorded a version of "When the Saints Go Marching In" that incorporated the chant. The song quickly became a major local hit, due in part to the support of sportscaster Ron Swoboda and the fact that Saints fans had been using the chant for some time.

Reader's Guide

The entire chant is: "Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?" "Who dat" may also be used as a noun, describing a Saints fan. After the Saints won the NFC Championship Game on January 24, 2010, fans chanted "who dat, who dat, who dat in the Super Bowl!" "Drew Dat" has occasionally been used in honor of quarterback Drew Brees.

Did You Know?

• The chant was used by fans of Southern University, St. Augustine High School, Patterson High School, Peabody Magnet High School, Alcorn State University, and LSU before being adopted by Saints fans.
• The Cincinnati Bengals use a modified version of the chant, 'Who Dey.'

Cultural Roots and Vaudeville Origins

The phrase "Who dat?" serves as an alternative pronunciation for "who's that?" with deep historical roots extending far beyond modern sports. During this era, it was a staple of jazz and big band performances, often featured in poetry by Paul Laurence Dunbar and songs like "Who Dat Say Chicken in Dis Crowd." The routine frequently involved frightened characters encountering ghosts or comedians engaging in call-and-response gags, popularized by performers like Mantan Moreland.

Even animated cartoons from the 1930s, such as those featuring Bosko or caricaturing Fats Waller, utilized the phrase to depict swamp-dwelling frogs performing jazz tunes. By World War II, the joke had permeated military culture, where fighter pilots flying under radio silence would break the monotony of their cockpits by exchanging the familiar "Who dat?" and "Who dat say who dat?" banter over static-filled radios before commanders ordered them to cease.

Evolution into a Regional Sports Chant

While the phrase existed in entertainment for decades, its transformation into a specific sports cheer occurred gradually across the American South during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Theories regarding its exact sporting origin vary, with claims pointing to Southern University Jaguars fans or St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. However, significant evidence suggests the chant gained traction in the Acadiana region, where Cajun English speakers often substitute "th" sounds with "d." By 1979, high schools like Patterson and Peabody Magnet were already utilizing variations of the cheer to rally support for their teams against rivals.

The phrase also appeared at Alcorn State University and Jackson's Murrah High School, where it was printed on placards as a traditional basketball chant. Furthermore, professional wrestler Junkyard Dog, a local hero in New Orleans wrestling circuits between 1979 and 1984, adopted a similar rallying cry: "Who dat think they gonna beat that Dog." This widespread adoption across various high schools, colleges, and even professional wrestling events laid the groundwork for its eventual dominance in professional football.

Adoption by the New Orleans Saints

By 1983, the cheer had become so ubiquitous among local fans that the New Orleans Saints organization officially embraced it during the tenure of head coach Bum Phillips. The chant evolved into a specific, rhythmic question-and-answer format: "Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?"

This version solidified its status as the primary expression of team support for the franchise within the National Football League. To further cement this cultural shift, local music icon Aaron Neville collaborated with musicians Sal and Steve Monistere and Carlo Nuccio to record a unique rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In." This recording incorporated the chant directly into the melody, blending traditional New Orleans brass band sounds with the emerging fan anthem.

The term "Who dat" also transcended its function as a question, evolving into a noun used to describe any dedicated supporter of the team. This official adoption marked the transition of a regional dialectical joke and schoolyard cheer into a unifying identity for an entire city's professional sports following.

Linguistic Identity and Fan Culture

The enduring power of "Who dat" lies in its linguistic flexibility and its ability to define community identity. Originally a comedic tag line in minstrel skits where characters would ask "Who dat?" only to be answered by "Who dat say who dat?", the phrase was repurposed into a defiant declaration of loyalty. In the context of the Saints, it functions as both an interrogative challenge to opponents and a noun designating the fans themselves. The dialectical shift from standard English "who's that" to the vernacular "who dat" reflects the unique cultural tapestry of New Orleans, influenced by Cajun speech patterns and African American Vernacular English traditions found in jazz history.

This linguistic adaptation allows the chant to serve as a barrier between insiders and outsiders; knowing how to properly respond to the call is a rite of passage for true fans. The phrase effectively bridges the gap between historical entertainment forms, such as vaudeville and swing era band interactions, and modern stadium culture, creating a continuous thread of local expression that resonates with every generation of supporters.