the word 'zydeco' is an anglicized form of the louisiana creole french phrase "les haricots," meaning "the beans," as heard in the song title "les haricots sont pas salés" ("the beans aren't salty"). this phrase became a common refrain and identifier for the music style. the transformation from "les haricots" to "zydeco" exemplifies a folk etymology process where a foreign phrase is adapted to fit the phonological patterns of english. the music itself is a vibrant creole synthesis of african, caribbean, and cajun musical traditions.

this word is a loanword from louisiana creole. it does not have segmentable morphemes based on english spelling conventions.