Why We're Called Gringo
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arbon
Zedinmexico
Lady Otter Latté
lapurafelicidad
CanuckBob
viajero
Pedro
Smartalex
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Why We're Called Gringo
During the Mexican-American War of the 1840s, U.S. Army troops occupied northern Mexico and captured Mexico City. The U.S. soldiers sang a popular song of the day, "Green Grow the Lilacs," which is derived from an old Irish folk song. The Mexican people interpreted "green grow" as "gringo"...and the name stuck.
Here are the lyrics:
Green grow the lilacs, all sparkling with dew
I'm lonely, my darling, since parting with you;
But by our next meeting I'll hope to prove true
And change the green lilacs to the Red, White and Blue.
And here's the Tex Ritter version:
Here are the lyrics:
Green grow the lilacs, all sparkling with dew
I'm lonely, my darling, since parting with you;
But by our next meeting I'll hope to prove true
And change the green lilacs to the Red, White and Blue.
And here's the Tex Ritter version:
Smartalex- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
that really isn't very smart alex
Pedro- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
You're just jealous because the Mexicans have no endearing terms for you Canucks...just a simple scratch of the elbow is about all the recognition you get.
Smartalex- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
LOL.Smartalex wrote:You're just jealous because the Mexicans have no endearing terms for you Canucks...just a simple scratch of the elbow is about all the recognition you get.
viajero- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
Jaja......I don't think the term gringo is as "enduring" as you like to think.
Re: Why We're Called Gringo
http://www.snopes.com/language/stories/gringo.asp
lapurafelicidad- Member
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
Well, sure, if you are all hung up on logic and facts....
Lady Otter Latté- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
In my opinion "Gringo" can be good or bad. It can be a description like "Gringo stuff" or " Gringo House". It serves a
purpose. More than once I have heard that "Gringo loco" can be affectionate or bad depending on circumstances. If
someone in my Calle doesn't know my name he just says "the gringo". Tone of voice can change it to bad for sure.
The truth is I am a Gringo or from the USA.
Are Canadians Gringoes?? I think not but don't know.
Z
purpose. More than once I have heard that "Gringo loco" can be affectionate or bad depending on circumstances. If
someone in my Calle doesn't know my name he just says "the gringo". Tone of voice can change it to bad for sure.
The truth is I am a Gringo or from the USA.
Are Canadians Gringoes?? I think not but don't know.
Z
Zedinmexico- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
Well it sure has been around for a long time.CanuckBob wrote:Jaja......I don't think the term gringo is as "enduring" as you like to think.
viajero- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
It has been my understanding that "gringo" is any foreigner--not just Americans. In my barrio, it seems that gringos are the people who are not Mexican. Just walking or driving about, no one knows if you are American, Canadian, German or Australian. But, they know you are not Mexican.
Lady Otter Latté- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
in my barrio i have convinced the people that i am not a gringo so they call me pedro "hoser" as i taught them.
Pedro- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
"HOSER"...Spanish.. (Canadian Argot) de cerveza para hombre tosca para beber, hombre estúpido y vulgarPedro wrote:in my barrio i have convinced the people that i am not a gringo so they call me pedro "hoser" as i taught them.
arbon- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
Perhaps Snopes needs to do a little more snooping in this case. Spanish-speaking Spaniards on the plain in Spain may well refer to all things foreign as "griego." But what does that have to do with the Spanish spoken by most Mexicans? Nada.lapurafelicidad wrote:http://www.snopes.com/language/stories/gringo.asp
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I've never been bothered by the word gringo,on the other hand I'm not fond of the word gabacho.
viajero- Share Holder
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The article points out that the word gringo is found in a Spanish dictionary in 1787 and the word was in use in Spain at that time. If you care to revisit Snopes you will see that the word gringo, not griego, was used to describe foreigners who spoke Spanish with an accent. This was 23 years before Mexico was even a country. So in my estimation it is relevant just as most Spanish spoken in Spain is relevant to that spoken by Mexicans to this day. The words origin comes from Spain and not from Mexico. Whether it connotations remain the same is a different story but the word existed in the Spanish language long before the invading Americans were heard singing "green grow the lilacs". Again, this is based on the Snopes article. If you have something that rebuts this explanation I would enjoy seeing it.Smartalex wrote:Perhaps Snopes needs to do a little more snooping in this case. Spanish-speaking Spaniards on the plain in Spain may well refer to all things foreign as "griego." But what does that have to do with the Spanish spoken by most Mexicans? Nada.lapurafelicidad wrote:http://www.snopes.com/language/stories/gringo.asp
lapurafelicidad- Member
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
Could you explain? Never heard of it.viajero wrote: I've never been bothered by the word gringo,on the other hand I'm not fond of the word gabacho.
Z
Zedinmexico- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
Ja.lapurafelicidad wrote:So in my estimation it is relevant just as most Spanish spoken in Spain is relevant to that spoken by Mexicans to this day.
Smartalex- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
You're not supposed to hear it.Zedinmexico wrote:Could you explain? Never heard of it.viajero wrote: I've never been bothered by the word gringo,on the other hand I'm not fond of the word gabacho.
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
I'ts a very common term in Mexico,it it's just another way of saying gringo,I'm surprised you've never heard of it.Zedinmexico wrote:Could you explain? Never heard of it.viajero wrote: I've never been bothered by the word gringo,on the other hand I'm not fond of the word gabacho.
Z
Last edited by viajero on Thu Oct 17, 2013 12:01 pm; edited 1 time in total
viajero- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
apparently you only communcate with mexicans who speak espanol of a colloquial nature. i base part of my observation on having heard you speak as well. and no,don't bother-my espanol of any sort sucks and is extremely minimal.Smartalex wrote:Ja.lapurafelicidad wrote:So in my estimation it is relevant just as most Spanish spoken in Spain is relevant to that spoken by Mexicans to this day.
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
I am protected by the local Mexicans I think. Honestly never heard it. I like the part about spitting...Nice!viajero wrote:I'ts almost as common as gringo,I'm surprised you've never heard of it.Zedinmexico wrote:Could you explain? Never heard of it.viajero wrote: I've never been bothered by the word gringo,on the other hand I'm not fond of the word gabacho.
Z
From the Wiki:
Gabacho (Spanish pronunciation: [ɡaˈβatʃo]; feminine, gabacha) is a word used in the Spanish language to describe foreigners of different origins.
In Spain it is used as a pejorative reference to someone French, coming from the Catalan word gavatx which translates as foreigner.
In Mexico, gabacho refers to anglo people of non-latino decent. Sugar cane leftovers after chewing (usually spit out garbage)and usually white.
In the United States, the word is used mainly by Chicanos (and by extension, American Hispanics) as a descriptive name for White Americans. It is not widely used or understood by Spanish-speakers in the Americas outside of the USA and Mexico. The term güero is sometimes used interchangeably to describe someone who is pale skinned.
Zedinmexico- Share Holder
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
Very good point. Now I get it.Smartalex wrote:You're not supposed to hear it.Zedinmexico wrote:Could you explain? Never heard of it.viajero wrote: I've never been bothered by the word gringo,on the other hand I'm not fond of the word gabacho.
Z
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
That would be gabazo and I don't think thats where the word gabacho comes from but I could be wrong.Zedinmexico wrote:I am protected by the local Mexicans I think. Honestly never heard it. I like the part about spitting...Nice!viajero wrote:I'ts almost as common as gringo,I'm surprised you've never heard of it.Zedinmexico wrote:Could you explain? Never heard of it.viajero wrote: I've never been bothered by the word gringo,on the other hand I'm not fond of the word gabacho.
Z
In Mexico, gabacho refers to anglo people of non-latino decent. Sugar cane leftovers after chewing (usually spit out garbage)and usually white.
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And you could be right. Wiki is not perfect and folks need to remember that. The more obscure the fact the more likely it is wrong because if no body knows no body corrects. Still aviajero wrote:That would be gabazo and I don't think thats where the word gabacho comes from but I could be wrong.Zedinmexico wrote:I am protected by the local Mexicans I think. Honestly never heard it. I like the part about spitting...Nice!viajero wrote:I'ts almost as common as gringo,I'm surprised you've never heard of it.Zedinmexico wrote:Could you explain? Never heard of it.viajero wrote: I've never been bothered by the word gringo,on the other hand I'm not fond of the word gabacho.
Z
In Mexico, gabacho refers to anglo people of non-latino decent. Sugar cane leftovers after chewing (usually spit out garbage)and usually white.
very useful site.
Z
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Re: Why We're Called Gringo
After all the years you've lived here and with all the Mexican amigos you claim to have I find that hard to believe.Pedro wrote:my espanol of any sort sucks and is extremely minimal.
Echele ganas, ponte las pilas.
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