Zócalo or Plaza?

Sorry, I can't resist. I'm a student of Spanish and since this is a Spanish word I looked it up in a couple of dictionaries, including the most widely accepted one:

5. m. Méx. Plaza principal de una ciudad.

It doesn't say Ciudad de México, it says any city. Please note it is a mexican word. It also means other things, definitions 1-4, which I won't list. Pretty entertaining reading this thread.

CheenaGringo wrote:Didn't spend much time looking at it but was struck by the amount of conversation regarding moving Singapore to Vancouver. Have to wonder what's up with that?

They can chew gum legally in Vancouver?

gringomojado wrote:Others say that it has its origin in an Italian language. Etymology can be fun!
gm

Oh, I too love etymology!

Origin of ZOCALO
Mexican Spanish, from el Zócalo, public square in Mexico City, from Spanish zócalo socle, plinth, from Italian zoccolo; from the plinth of an unfinished monument in Mexico City's main square — more at socle
First Known Use: 1882

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zocalo

Merry

So today, I called the hotel where we have reservations to confirm that we would be receiving a room overlooking the infamous Zocalo in Puebla. Granted between my poor Spanish and his marginal English, communication was somewhat strained. I kept saying Zocalo and he was lost. When I said balcony, he responded with: "SI looking over the parque". Mission accomplished but I did think it was funny.

Zócalo, Plaza. Jardín, Parque... almost as many names as the Inuit have for snow, doncha know?

One could... Google earth and pray for a picture with a label? Lizzy