Gringo

The slang term Gringo ( feminine, gringa ) designated English-speaking foreigners, especially from the U.S., and is mainly used in Spanish-speaking countries.

Original meaning

After the " Breve Diccionario Etimológico de la Lengua Castellana " the Romanist linguist Joan Coromines to Gringo derives etymologically from the Spanish griego ( " Greek" ), because Greek formerly the proverbial example of an incomprehensible language was ( in English: " It's all Greek to me, " German counterpart: " This is me spanish before! "). The word is first mentioned in 1787 in the " Diccionario Castellano ". Accordingly, the word in the 18th century has been applied to speaker of foreign languages ​​, especially English, who spoke no clear Spanish. Later it was extended to people with white skin - even on Spanish-speaking whites - and has at times simply means " blond".

There are other popular etymological, not by real world phenomena or the science covered interpretations and traditions according to which Gringo among other things, the green soldiers Skirts ( English: " green coat " ) of the American soldiers in the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848 respectively on these soldiers concerned slogans in Mexico, " greens go home" or simplified "green go", go back. Similar traditions are also from other Latin American countries such as Panama during the occupation of the Panama Canal Zone, as well as with respect to the Battle of the Alamo between Mexico and the U.S. in 1836. In Brazil, it is sometimes attributed to British railway engineers of the 19th century, when Signaleinrichten "Red Stop Green go" exclaimed. The word gringo appeared however to before the Mexican-American War and before the railway in Brazil. In addition, the U.S. Army wore before 1954 no green uniforms; at that time they were mostly blue.

The dictionary of the Real Academia Española indicates that the etymology is unclear.

Today's meaning in different areas

• Mexico, Central America, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador: In these countries, the word usually refers specifically a U.S. citizen, regardless of their language or ethnic origin, but usually white skin color. The term is generally neutral, but may also be meant to be derogatory.

• Brazil: Here the word remained closer to its original meaning and represents a foreigner who speaks an unintelligible language for the local population. As a foreigner gringo in Brazil is usually the expression Estrangeiro common, often pejoratively, and it also usually it arrives, who said it to whom.

• Argentina: Here, the word generally refers to immigrants - especially those from Italy, but not from Spain.

• Spain and other ( not listed above ) Latin America: In most of these countries gringo refers to a white man who speaks a non- Romance language. However, today many people use it even from those areas affected by the Mexican importance for citizens of the United States. Usually it is not meant to be pejorative. In Spain, the term guiri is for central and northern Europeans today but used.

• English -speaking countries: Hispanic migrants use the word in the United States as a synonym for Anglo, that is to express a relationship with England.

Other meanings

In Mexican cuisine, a gringa is a mixture of seasoned pork ( carne al pastor ), cheese and cut in cubes of pineapple, served between two wheat tortillas. The combination is heated and eaten with various sauces.