[Albion Wilde]

cafe a'le' (coffee with cream).

That's spelled café au lait (coffee with milk). It's French, and the expression is thought to have originated with the racial mixing of French- and African-descended people in the region of Louisiana.

[Windflier]

That's spelled café au lait (coffee with milk).

Thank you. I'm excellent with English, but terrible with French spellings.

It's French, and the expression is thought to have originated with the racial mixing of French- and African-descended people in the region of Louisiana.

My mom is from Louisiana. No doubt, that's where she first heard the expression. She's got French/African ancestry, too.

Much appreciated.