Monday, May 12, 2014

TRICKY WORDS OR ¨WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?¨

By Don Fantástico
Hello friends! I´ve heard that some of our lechones think our blog is publicity for a restaurant. Don Lechón is a gluton, we know, but this blog is to give you a little taste of what our country is like, especially if you're living in it. One important part of Mexican culture is the slang! 
Are you blond or have white skin? Has someone called you "güera" or "guerita" and you have no idea if this is a word with a good or bad connotation?
One such experience happened to a friend of mine. Guerihno was visiting from Brazil. We went to the market one day and a guy told him, ¨¡Pásele 'güerito'!¨ (Meaning: Come on in blondy!) And he exclaimed, ¨How do they know my name?¨
 ¨Don´t worry Mr. Guerihno¨, I reassured him, they mean 'güerito' (blondy). 
This and other slang words is the subject of today's article. It is very important to mention that many of these words are derogatory, so use at your own risk.

1. Güero/Güera- Blond person or just someone with light colored skin.

2. Mamacita- Translating to "little mommy"; it is often used to cat-call a good looking girl.


Our apologies for the quality of the image but this is such a funny stereotype.
3. Gringo/Gringa- A disparaging slur used to describe any English-speaking foreigner but mostly used for Americans.


4. Güey/Wey- Meaning idiot or a dumb person; it is also a term of endearment for friends. Like "dude" would be in English. Still considered a cuss word so it is not to be thrown around in front of people you don't know as you could offend someone. There´s also an expression "¡Ay Güey!" and that means "Oh no!".


5. Cholo/Chola- It has come to represent Mexicans who dress in the "gangsta" style of the United States. 


6. Carnal/Carnala- Literally means carnal, as in from the flesh. It is often used to describe someone you consider your best friend. You consider them blood related. As someone aptly put it to me in a bar: "a friend you would take a bullet for."


7. Compadre/Comadre- Translates to "co-father" or "co-mother." This is how you call the godparents of your children.

8. Fulano/a de tal- The Spanish equivalent of John Doe. This isn't an actual name but is used to describe anonymous people. It´s also common to say: Zutano or Merengano.


Prominent on her wedding dress is the symbol of the soccer team of Guadalajara.

9. Naco/Naca- Term used for people that are considered trashy. Red neck in the United States or Bogun in Australia. It is someone who is unsophisticated.

This is the perfect example of a fresa. The daughter of the Mexican president tweeted this: "A salutation to the dumb-asses that form the proletariat and only criticize those they envy." 
10. Fresa- Opposite of naco; someone who is refined and rich but lacking respect for others, especially those they regard as part of the proletariat. In the past, the word fresa was used for very conservative young people.


11. Cabrón/Cabrona- This word has evolved throughout time. Literally means a male goat but now it is someone who is unfaithful to their partner.


12. Mamón/Mamona- In the strict form of the language it means someone that sucks. In the Mexican argot, it means someone who is arrogant or very demanding.


13. Puto- The masculine noun derived from puta, short for prostituta (prostitute). It is a pejorative term for homosexuals. The equivalent of "faggot" in English.


14. Huevón/Huevona- In other countries where people speak spanish the word can mean "dude", " some guy" " a big egg"  or " stupid". In Mexico it means nothing but a lazy person or someone who doesn´t like getting a job. 


15. Chilango/Chilanga- Someone originating from the capital, Mexico City.   


16. Gandalla- Dishonest person.


Spanish in Mexico has a lot of idioms and slang. We exposed what we think are the most common but for more "excuse my French" Mexican stuff go to: http://lexiquetos.org/chilanguismos/


See you next time, lechones! -Don Fantástico 

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