Typically, it reflects the stereotype of cajuns: people who live in the swamp, speaking in some hybrid dialect of French and English, and are somewhat ignorant. They may be perceived as spending their time wrestling gators and eating hot food. Though the culture is rich with such elements, it is a caricature that only scratches the surface.

It is embraced by some, more like "redneck," "hillbilly,"or "yankee" than an ethnic slur. Some are even proud to claim to be "Coon Asses." To that end, "Coon Ass" is to "Cajun" was "nerd" is to "geek" in the geek vs. nerd debate. It is one of those cases where one would describe themselves that way, or be described by another self-described coon ass, rather than by an outsider.