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HaHa. I remember well when an aunt who had emigrated to Canada came over with her 19 year old. The daughter was shocked that one of her aunts could be so brazen talking about her activity every morning with her neighbour!You can imagine the look on my face when a British acquaintance told me that he would "knock me up the next morning at 8:00"!!! (American=impregnate).
Aside from an homage to one of the (arguably) great comedic movies of all times, "The Princess Bride," I thought the topic might make for some fun.
I first thought of it several weeks ago when, in a discussion of footwear, a person of British persuasion commented that her feet were like "pasties," by which she was referring to large meat pies (I had to look it up), but which to my unsophisticated American mind meant something altogether different --- something that could double as blister covers . . .
It got me to thinking that there is a lot of humor to be found in misunderstanding the language that we use with each other, especially when it comes to slang, idioms, and colloquialisms. Sometimes, we flat out talk past each without even realizing it (anyone who's married knows that an entire forum of threads couldn't exhaust this source of misunderstanding).
It took me a week to realize that asking for "salsa picante" on the Camino doesn't mean what my American brain thinks "salsa" or "picante" mean. I was marginally faster in grasping that, in Spain, "tortilla" didn't mean what I thought it meant either. Walking with many Brits, Scots, Irish, Aussies, and Kiwis led me to understand the truth of something a Kiwi friend often repeats---I speak American and have no clue what English is. Who knew the "dogs bollocks" was a good thing, or that "That's no plonk," was actually complementary of the vino tinto?! Then, of course, there is the perpetual reminder that "Donativo doesn't mean free."
So, what other words or phrases do people use on the Camino (or "in the real world") that doesn't mean what they think it means, or that we think it should mean . . .
It's pretty much the equivalent of ketchup. Although I was told there was a difference, I couldn't tell.Good Morning!
Ok I'll bite what does salsa picante mean in Spain? This is important to me because I am from southern California and picante is important to me!
.... in a discussion of footwear, a person of British persuasion commented that her feet were like "pasties" ...
Good idea, I may have to bring "cholula"It's pretty much the equivalent of ketchup. Although I was told there was a difference, I couldn't tell.
"Salsa picante tabasco" will get (if they have it) Tabasco Sauce. I never found the equivalent of the picante sauce you're looking for, and pepper sauce was hard to find. Hence, I'm carrying a luxury item of some variation of hot habanero sauce to get enough heat and flavor without a great deal of weight.
I admit to giggling each time an American says he/she is 'pissed', which means very drunk here in the UK, when what they mean is they are annoyed. Also: Pants ...
Similar to British meaning of Bonked in one way, usually ends up with a loss of energy, but NOT due to depleted blood sugar.Bonked. American for loss of energy due to depleted blood sugar. I understand there are other meanings.
Maybe useful, or may be not, but in Costa Rica, we use the word CHUNCHE when we don't know, or can't remember the name of something. However, I don't know if this is valid in Castilliano (Spain)!@Al the optimist ... that made me smile and we've been trying to think of Devonian expressions... here are a few but they do need the Devonian accent
Thing-a-mi-bob, watcha-ma-callit or thing-a-mi-jig – you’d say this if you couldn’t remember the name of something
From a Californian's perspective:
"Bad ass" is good, great even. (and one of my favorite expressions.)
"That's sick" means "bad ass."
Damien
Um, please explain the douche.Never ask for a "Napkin" outside of America...because if you are male most Pilgrims will wonder why you want a feminine product...then after the laughter try asking for a "Serviette" instead...but likewise I will never forget while on the Camino being asked if I wanted to "douche before dinner".
please explain the douche.
You can imagine the look on my face when a British acquaintance told me that he would "knock me up the next morning at 8:00"!!! (American=impregnate).
Douche is shower, in French, ducha is Castellano, but in the US the word is a derogatory term that describes a product/ procedure some women to shower a particular bit. It is typically used in combo with the word bag....Um, please explain the douche.
A little off topic but the first night on the West Highland Way...we walked into Drymen, North of Glasgow. We kept speaking about Dry-men. We were corrected that it was pronounced as Drim-en as there were no dry men in townAt least he gave you a warning.
Hence, I'm carrying a luxury item of some variation of hot habanero sauce to get enough heat and flavor without a great deal of weight.
Good idea, I may have to bring "cholula"
For a reasonably complete review of salsa, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salsa_(sauce). "Salsa picante" is a specific kind of salsa that has chunks of tomato, chile, etc., and is often referred to as just "picante". Usually we see mild, medium, and hot levels of spiciness for most salsas and picantes, but even the spiciest of the "salsa picantes" that I had in Spain were closer to milk toast than a US mild, and they generally had the taste and consistency of ketchup.@koilife - What are the double meanings for "salsa picante" ?
To that I'd add "drinky-thing" when I don't know or remember what to call the thing we're drinking from.Thing-a-mi-bob, watcha-ma-callit or thing-a-mi-jig – you’d say this if you couldn’t remember the name of something
Thank you! That explains a couple reactions I never understood . . .Never ask for a "Napkin" outside of America...because if you are male most Pilgrims will wonder why you want a feminine product...then after the laughter try asking for a "Serviette" instead...
Never heard that used in any capacity other than a prostitute, and a cheap one at that. At the local Renaissance Festivals (not sure if that translates into Europe, where there actually was a Renaissance) here in the US, you can usually pay a "wench" a dollar for a kiss that leaves a bright red lipstick mark on cheek or neck (or forehead for those of us endowed with a more refined landscape there).Wench is an affectionate term for a girl or young woman.
The daughter was shocked that one of her aunts could be so brazen talking about her activity every morning with her neighbour!
'visiting'
'pissed'
Whenever I said "Hola" the hospitalero, clerk, etc. would switch to English.
Fanny too... which makes me childishly giggle
From a Californian's perspective:
"Bad ass" is good, great even. (and one of my favorite expressions.)
"Seriously" means I agree.
"That's sick" means "bad ass."
"Whatever" means I'm tired of talking about it and I disagree.
"Chill" means hang out and enjoy the situation... or "Relax" depending on the context.
"Stoked" = "Psyched" = "I am pleased with this situation."
Damien
No offence Robo, but the use of "Yeah-No", or even worse "Yeah-Nah", is an example of the gradual "boganisation" of the English language here in Australia. It is nothing though compared to the incessant, inappropriate use of the word "like" at the start, in the middle, and at the end of sentences - anywhere in fact. No need for a simile. Shudders!I might leave it to a native born Australian to explain how Australians use the term...... Yeah-No.
I find myself doing it now!
Ok, seriously, when used with the same questioning tone you described, means the same thing here. I was thinking of the more conformational seriously. Serious used alone doesn't have the ambiguity.How the meanings change. In australia 'seriously' is often used with a rising tone 'question' inflection and generally means.......I think your talking complete BS
I generally think of it as meaning 'I understand you, but your are such a insert expletive for asking and I do not intend to do that'. See also http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=yeah+no for some other great interpretations including support for @JMac56's view on this.I might leave it to a native born Australian to explain how Australians use the term...... Yeah-No.
I find myself doing it now!
I generally think of it as meaning 'I understand you, but your are such a insert expletive for asking and I do not intend to do that'. See also http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=yeah+no for some other great interpretations including support for @JMac56's view on this.
Those are some very polite interpretations, @Robo. I suspect I would hear it more often with the 'yeah' given a long rising tone of derision, followed by a compact 'no' or 'nah' that is uttered to ensure that the listener knows that the matter under question should not be re-prosecuted.I usually hear it in the context of agreeing with a statement .... You hear it on tv interviews all the time.
I.e.
Yes you are right......in that NO it didn't occur. (Yeah.....No he wasn't there...)
I agree.....that wasn't the right thing to do. (Yeah, No he shouldn't have done that.)
or
Yes I am leaving the team.....no I don't regret the decision. (Yeah, No I'm comfortable moving on.....)
If you are not used to it, it sounds like constant indecision
When I first went to Spain I was forever apologising about my lack of Spanish and saying "Estou emberazada" when I got things wrong! Also it took quite a while before I realised why people smiled curiosly when ever I said "Soy calor"!The two most common sources of inter-cultural giggling, I think, is that embarazada does not mean you are embarrassed, it means you are pregnant. And being constipada means having a cold, not being constipated (which may explain why you got the medicine you did in the pharmacy).Buen camino, Laurie
I do it, here in Canada. The Yes means "I have heard what you are saying", the No is the answer. So... "Yes, I understand what you are asking me do do, but no, I will not be doing it."I usually hear it in the context of agreeing with a statement .... You hear it on tv interviews all the time.
I.e.
Yes you are right......in that NO it didn't occur. (Yeah.....No he wasn't there...)
I agree.....that wasn't the right thing to do. (Yeah, No he shouldn't have done that.)
or
Yes I am leaving the team.....no I don't regret the decision. (Yeah, No I'm comfortable moving on.....)
If you are not used to it, it sounds like constant indecision
I think the list Damien has provided us with is not only a regionalism (North America) but proper yo a younger genration, mostly Ys/Milleniums.How the meanings change. In australia 'seriously' is often used with a rising tone 'question' inflection and generally means.......I think your talking complete BS
Like, get a clue!No offence Robo, but the use of "Yeah-No", or even worse "Yeah-Nah", is an example of the gradual "boganisation" of the English language here in Australia. It is nothing though compared to the incessant, inappropriate use of the word "like" at the start, in the middle, and at the end of sentences - anywhere in fact. No need for a simile. Shudders!
On many menus along the Camino, I had a choice of Bocadillo Caliente or Bocadillo Frio. I never realised I was asking for a sexy sandwich.Further to my last, I have one example of misuse of the Spanish language that may be appropriate to the dialog.
I used the term "caliente" to refer to the ambient temperature one day in August at Sanitago. I was corrected and told the the correct term to describe a hot or warm day was "caldo" or "dia caluroso."
On the other hand, "caliente" was used to describe a "hot" or sexy person, usually female. I took this to be a sort of vulgar reference. After the initial embarrassment, as I was working the lines outside at the Pilgrim Office, I thanked profusely the local person correcting me, and never made that mistake again.
I hope this helps...
Sometimes we go "to see a man about a horse" or we "hit the head".We English "pull your leg" when teasing. The Spanish pull or take your hair... Ouch!
We also might go and visit George (or see a man about a dog) while others might visit the loo, toilet, facilities or servicios and I believe that on the other side of the Pond one might visit the john!
Yes and sometimes I need to go and park my bike.Sometimes we go to see a man about a horse.
Yeah . . . blister covers.Got in late on this one but let's return for a minute to the original post and the word "pasties".I was very happy to read such eloquent definitions and wide ranging thoughts about the word and many others. However, it is obvious that many here have never served in the Armed Forces, U.S. Navy here, and were granted a better education than I. Pasties are/were a device or bit of costume, or censorship placed (pasted) over ...well...ah...that means...the pointy bits of an exotic dancers upper protuberances ostensibly in order to preserve morality and good taste(?).No, I shall not provide a photo, don't really wish to be suspended from the forum.
Got in late on this one but let's return for a minute to the original post and the word "pasties".I was very happy to read such eloquent definitions and wide ranging thoughts about the word and many others. However, it is obvious that many here have never served in the Armed Forces, U.S. Navy here, and were granted a better education than I. Pasties are/were a device or bit of costume, or censorship placed (pasted) over ...well...ah...that means...the pointy bits of an exotic dancers upper protuberances ostensibly in order to preserve morality and good taste(?).No, I shall not provide a photo, don't really wish to be suspended from the forum.
Maybe useful, or may be not, but in Costa Rica, we use the word CHUNCHE when we don't know, or can't remember the name of something. However, I don't know if this is valid in Castilliano (Spain)!
My sister and i found this one out very quickly ,we love our butter and always have to ask for mantequilla.One of my favorites happened in Roncesvalles. We stopped into the bar before leaving and I ordered toast. The man behind the bar rattled of a string of words in Spanish and all I could pick out was "tequila." I thought it was a bit early for a shot, especially on a Sunday. Turns out he was asking me if I wanted butter. (mantequilla)
Me too! Don't like!!!I still feel somewhat uncomfortable when Americans talk about 'Fanny Packs'.
It just conjures up all sorts of unmentionable images of who knows what!
Sorry I'm originally British and words like that are not used in polite company
Sorry to disappoint, but caldo means broth, bouillon...Further to my last, I have one example of misuse of the Spanish language that may be appropriate to the dialog.
I used the term "caliente" to refer to the ambient temperature one day in August at Sanitago. I was corrected and told the the correct term to describe a hot or warm day was "caldo" or "dia caluroso."
On the other hand, "caliente" was used to describe a "hot" or sexy person, usually female. I took this to be a sort of vulgar reference. After the initial embarrassment, as I was working the lines outside at the Pilgrim Office, I thanked profusely the local person correcting me, and never made that mistake again.
I hope this helps...
The John really is quite vulgar in my opinion. The little girls' room works, or going to powder once nose.We English "pull your leg" when teasing. The Spanish pull or take your hair... Ouch!
We also might go and visit George (or see a man about a dog) while others might visit the loo, toilet, facilities or servicios and I believe that on the other side of the Pond one might visit the john!
we don't call our cutlery 'Sheffield'
In Castellano (Spain) CHUNCHE doesn´t mean anything The most similar word is CHINCHE (bed bug) so it's better not to say CHUNCHE in Spain.
In previous post it has been mentioned the "false friend" embarazada / embarrased. The word Preñada(pregnant) exists in Spanish but must be only used for animals. Saying "Mujer preñada" sounds very bad. You must say "mujer embarazada" and "perra preñada" (dog).
But now even "embarazada" is used for animals (especially pets) what sounds very corny to me. and therefore "preñada" is regrettably condemned to disappear
Rebekah --- May God bless you a thousand times over! These just made my list of Camino-lingua and will shortly be permanently embedded in my consciousness!Those worried about not getting hot sauce on their food can ask for "salsa brava," one of the only spicy sauces you'll find in northern Spain... in finer establishments they may have "chimichurri," a peppery Argentine sauce.
I admit to giggling each time an American says he/she is 'pissed', which means very drunk here in the UK, when what they mean is they are annoyed. Also: Pants ...
Like, he was like...and then I was like....clueless like.Like, get a clue!
Spanish is another language with similar differences
In South Texas or northern Mexico, chisme is gossip.In Castellano, the word "chisme" means "thingammy" or "doo-hicky."
Those worried about not getting hot sauce on their food can ask for "salsa brava," one of the only spicy sauces you'll find in northern Spain... in finer establishments they may have "chimichurri," a peppery Argentine sauce. Or if you like a real classic and are not sleeping too near to anyone else that evening, ask for salsa ali oli --- very garlicky mayonnaise. All are superb on fried potatoes... "patatas bravas" are world-class bar food!
Occasionally you'll see
"preñada" used in food terms, to describe a sausage roll or a filled pastry.
Yes and sometimes I need to go and park my bike.
Of course we all understand that 'pants' are something a gentleman wears under his trousers!
The John really is quite vulgar in my opinion. The little girls' room works, or going to powder once nose.
Sorry to disappoint, but caldo means broth, bouillon...
... since they tend to speak at a much slower pace, more akin to the speed of American English.
Just a few. Here is one map of the dialect variations across north America -->> http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/AmericanEnglishDialects.gif.I guess, as with regional variances in Spain there are regional variances in the US.
Just a few
A few years ago my then early 20s daughter did a trip between university papers that included a month mainly in England. About 25 years before I had lived in Manchester for a year and widely traveled throughout the UK. So, warned her to expect a new mode (variant, dialect, brogue, whatever) of speech every 20 miles or so. Before leaving she was incredulous on this point. On her return she confirmed hearing a new mode of speech about every 20 miles.
As I tried to say before... Right, whatever.... Perhaps you are confusing Italian with Castellano.Perhaps, but, I can find at least two, online Castilian dictionaries that offer "warm" or "hot" as one definition.
I should mention that this term "caldo" has several listed alternative definitions and uses. It is usually used with another word to form a descriptive phrase, as in "It is a hot day...'caldo dia'..."
As long as I do not get slapped for calling someone something vulgar, all is good. I will get fed...
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