BajaNomad - "GRINGO"---as an acceptable term

"GRINGO"---as an acceptable term

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 01:29 PM

Wish me luck. I'm going to try to transport a lengthy hijacking out of the soccer thread to it's own home, then go back over there and do some deleting.
My apologies for the hijacking. It will NEVER happen again. :lol:

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LOSARIPES

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posted on 8-13-2009 at 08:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
yeah squid, the US sucks at football. when was the last time mexico beat spain and dominated brasil for 45 minutes back to back? i'll bet you a box of your favorite beer that the US goes farther than mexico in the next "copa mundial".

enjoy the win.

what is gonna happen IF the US ever wins in azteca stadium? i'll bet, double or nothing, that there will be blood in the streets...

bring on the REAL football season. CHARGERS FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!

edit:html code

[Edited on 8-13-2009 by woody in ob]

[Edited on 8-13-2009 by woody in ob]

Mexico spells with a Capital M... Aztec is also spelled with respect just as you spell "the US".

Anyway.... top brass US player Vs. the best of Mexico... 2-1 Mexico....!!! it looks like Mexico is back and as it is speculated, the US may go further in the world cup but it is all just that: Speculation.

Under the new coach, Mexico has shown great improvement. It would have been a 3-0 US win a few months ago....

Good show... sorry for the gringos... oops!! should I say Gringos?

There will be more games... this is interesting.... that's what the game is all about

Aripes
God bless America
and Baja tambien

DENNIS

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posted on 8-13-2009 at 09:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by LOSARIPES
sorry for the gringos... oops!! should I say Gringos?

Since propriety is that important to you today, you shouldn't be saying either one.
On the other hand, we haven't had a "Gringo--as a derogatory term" thread here for a long time. Maybe it's due for a review.
You know where I stand.

LOSARIPES

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posted on 8-13-2009 at 10:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by LOSARIPES
sorry for the gringos... oops!! should I say Gringos?

Since propriety is that important to you today, you shouldn't be saying either one.
On the other hand, we haven't had a "Gringo--as a derogatory term" thread here for a long time. Maybe it's due for a review.
You know where I stand.

No offense intended. Gringo is pretty much a generic term w/o any intention other than to refer to anyone from US-American extraction... OK? see.. the thing is that we can't use the term Unitesdstatian.... (Estadounidense) and the only acceptable term is American... but American is everybody born in the continent.... so... without intention to offend, the word Gringo come pretty handy. It is just that I'd say.

You are right. I have not read much about the origin of the term in this forum....

Aripes
God bless America
and Baja tambien

BajaGringo

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posted on 8-13-2009 at 10:33 AM

Dennis - you and I need to have a face to face about this Gringo obsession. I'll bring the Pacifico's...

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DENNIS

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posted on 8-13-2009 at 12:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by LOSARIPES
Gringo is pretty much a generic term w/o any intention other than to refer to anyone from US-American extraction...

Well...You know, of course, that we're just having a discussion here so, allow me to discuss your above statement.
The same "convenience" aspect can be applied to a list of labels on groups and used, not particularly for their original intent. Wop...****...Beaner....Mick....Slope....Shine...just to name a few and in that list belongs the term, Gringo. None of these are terms of endearment. They're all derogatory and the the weird fact that the term, Gringo, has become acceptible to the North American has always puzzeled me. It was a term of revulsion when it was born [whenever that was] and in most cases retains that conotation.
Ask your Mexican friend and neighbor if you can find one who forget being gracious long enough to tell you the truth, if the term means anything like, 'loving wonderful friend." You'll see his eyes drift off into the thousand yard stare of confusion.
Gringo is a bad word. The lapse of pride in a people who would accept it as OK confuses me.

While we're on the subject of National identity which you brought up....it's wrong. Wrong to accept that "The United States Of America" is a misnomer. It is argued that other countrys, Mexico in this case, are called The United States as well, therefore making our claim invalid.

America? The same lame arguement says it's all the Americas, therefore making our claim to that part of our name invalid as well. If those who spout this crap had it there way, we wouldn't have a name for our country.
Now....tell me you agree with this and I'll go on to the next level.

Osprey - 8-13-2009 at 01:46 PM

English speakers are right behind Mexicans when it comes to lazy language and on this one I blame nobody. Just have about 6 mango margaritas and try to tell everybody about those lovable Estadounidoenses and the other extanjeros and see what happens to your tongue.

Woooosh - 8-13-2009 at 01:52 PM

Latino? Chicano? Guero? Gringo? All non-specific and hard to take offense at IMHO. I once answered "American" as to my nationality and it was quickly pointed out to me that South Americans and Latin Americans are "Americans" too. Don't sweat the small stuff, there's enough big stuff to worry about.

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Osprey
English speakers are right behind Mexicans when it comes to lazy language and on this one I blame nobody. Just have about 6 mango margaritas and try to tell everybody about those lovable Estadounidoenses and the other extanjeros and see what happens to your tongue.

That is exactly my point. :lol:

Wait a minute...lemme think about this.

arrowhead - 8-13-2009 at 01:57 PM

Quote:

No matter how many margaritas I have, I still can't roll my "rrrr's".
:lol:

Taco de Baja - 8-13-2009 at 01:58 PM

It's only ok for gringos to refer to each other as Gringos. No one else should be allowed to; either behind our backs or to our stinking gringo faces.....

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Latino? Chicano? Guero? Gringo? All non-specific

"Gringo" is purely specific in original intent. A despised foreigner. Original intent hasn't morphed much, if at all.

How about, "Frijolero?" If that's specific, will you tell me why? Is it acceptable? Do you use it?

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by arrowhead
No matter how many margaritas I have, I still can't roll my "rrrr's".
:lol:

Ahhh yes...the split-tounge effect. Another stereotype.

tripledigitken - 8-13-2009 at 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taco de Baja
It's only ok for gringos to refer to each other as Gringos. No one else should be allowed to; either behind our backs or to our stinking gringo faces.....

Just like the tradition of Blacks calling themselves the "n" word, but it's verboten if you are white.

Ken

Bajahowodd - 8-13-2009 at 02:07 PM

Since three countries occupy the continent of North America, we need to be more careful as to how we identify them. Clearly Canada stands by itself as being one of the countries of North America. However, we tend to misidentify the other two. Such as when we identify the United States, either as just that or as just America. The official name of the Southernmost country of North America is Los Estados Unidos de Mexico. Thus, when referring to the United States, we could theoretically be referring to Mexico. Now that I've bored the crap out of you, personally, I find the term gringo to be a generic reference to someone who is from North of the border. I imagine, then that the Gringo Gazette is a major offense to all?

BajaGringo - 8-13-2009 at 02:12 PM

Dennis - it is an issue that is very difficult for many to understand based on their cultural roots. I used to agree with your basic stand on the term but after decades of living in Latin America I came to see the issue quite differently. By the way - that happened before I ever made it to Mexico. I came to this opinion while still living and working in South America...

In the Latin culture they put names to everyone and call you as they see you. Fat, skinny, tall, short, young, old, handsome, beautiful, ugly, lame, blind, deaf, black, white etc, etc, etc. Within Mexico they often call you a name based on where you are from - Mexico City - "chilango", Nayarit - "Cora", etc etc. All of these terms can be used in a hostile/non-hostile way. It really depends on the how and where they are used.

I have many close and dear friends throughout Latin America that I have known for over 35 years. Many of them even made the long trip to be by my side in the last days of my young daughters life as she laid in a coma in a Los Angeles hospital. They, along with my wife and her family all call me Gringo. In this group are well educated, professional and working class alike.

Either it can be used as a term no differently than guero or chilango or I am surrounded by hundreds of folks I "thought" really loved and cared for me when in fact are hostile and resentful of me.

If the latter is the case I guess I need to have a heart to heart tonight with my wife...

One thing I have noticed though is that many here in Mexico are aware that some Gringos do take it as an offensive term and try to avoid at all costs using it in front of them. But they do at home and with friends and contrary to what you may believe, it is not always meant in an offensive way.

I base that opinion on over 35 years of life experience living, working and assimilation into the Latin culture as well as Spanish language fluency. This is not just a Mexico thing - this is prevalent throughout Latin America although in parts of South America it is more common to hear the term 'yanqui" (yankee).

Dennis - you are one of my most favorite people to disagree with!!!

:lol:

[Edited on 8-13-2009 by BajaGringo]

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I imagine, then that the Gringo Gazette is a major offense to all?

Yes. The name always reminded me of a concession to national pride, of which we have very little.

Bajahowodd - 8-13-2009 at 02:21 PM

There is a measure of one's individual sensitivity as well as political correctness that will affect how one feels accepting what may be a term of endearment or a slur, depending on perspective. I wonder how many caucasians bristle when being called honky? Doesn't bother me. That term, by the way, morphed from a derogatory term used by Western European heritage Americans as an epithet for Bohemians and Hungarians. It is said that blacks first heard it used in meatpacking plants in Chicago, and ultimately adopted it for all caucasians.

Russ - 8-13-2009 at 02:31 PM

["Gringo" is purely specific in original intent. A despised foreigner. Original intent hasn't morphed much, if at all."]
My observation is that US white folk :tumble:

use the "Gringo" term a lot. But when I'm one of few or the only Gringo in a group of Mexicans many are visibly shocked when I let the word slip. The Mexicans that are around "us" more take it in stride but seldom use the word. As a kid we used Gringo a lot and meant no disrespect to one another. Never thought about it's origin. Maybe like blacks using the "N word" being OK in a black group but not for others to use. So if a Mexican you're not familiar with uses it that's probably not a compliment.

ELINVESTIG8R - 8-13-2009 at 02:31 PM

I like it when I'm called Gringo Culo Prieto.

BajaNuts - 8-13-2009 at 02:37 PM

more discussion of the same-
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=35747#top

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Dennis - you are one of my most favorite people to disagree with!!!

Thanks, Ron. I'm fine with it although, and this is for your benefit, if you're going to equate the term "Gringo" with "Chilango", you have made my point more clearly than I'm able to do. Throughout Mexico, with the exception of DF, there is probably no word that coaxes so much revulsion as Chilango and my point is that all these terms arn't just playful labels. Some of them actually are spoken with emotion. Chilango is definitly a word that is suited for a select audience lest you be in front of one. Then, it's the major insult.
Why accept an insult just because the whole country is giving you one? I don't understand.

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Russ
Never thought about it's origin.

Actually unknown. Theories say perhaps, from the war..."Green Grow the blah blah"....The San Patricios fighting for Mexico. Other stories....The Term "Griego"...Greek for foreigner. Nobody knows for sure.

BajaGringo - 8-13-2009 at 02:47 PM

Yes, it can be used with emotion and meant as derogatory but that doesn't mean it always has to be taken that way. You can use the simple term "Mexican" and based on your intent, facial expression and tone of voice indicate two very different things.

I worry more about what is in someone's heart than the terminology they use as lingo across culture divides has become so blended and blurred over the past several decades. Some of the most polite and well mannered people in life will smile and greet you graciously as they secretly hold a knife in their other hand, behind their back.

I have met a few recently, on both sides of the border.

But no worries Dennis - I will still bring the (ice cold) Pacifico's...

:biggrin:

[Edited on 8-13-2009 by BajaGringo]

LOSARIPES - 8-13-2009 at 02:50 PM

Well,let's see.... you say that the word gringo belongs in the same list as beaner, wop, etc. No. I don't think so. I have not come across any Mexican that would call himself a beaner. Anybody else calling him a beaner is in for an exchange of other type of adjectives. On the other hand, I do know several US citizens who call themselves Gringos and have no apparent problem doing so. The term Gringo and Beaner are worlds apart.
So allow me please to say, with what I consider just cause that you are wrong. The word does not mean "I love you". Granted, but the offense -if any- is in the perception of the person addressed, more than in its literal meaning.
Literal meaning... well... here is something really interesting:
From www.reference.com

Gringo (feminine, gringa) is a Spanish and Portuguese word used in Latin America to denote foreign non-native speakers of Spanish (regardless of race), especially English-speakers from the British Isles, and Americans, Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders, as well as some other Latin Americans.

Hispanophones disagree whether or not gringo is derogatory. The American Heritage Dictionary entry classifies gringo as "offensive slang", "usually disparaging", and "often disparaging". The usages of gringo sometimes are derogatory, paternalistic, and condescendingly endearing, especially when a foreigner condescends to the people and culture he or she is visiting. The enunciation of the word communicates connotation, insult or not. Like many derogatory terms, gringo has been co-opted; drummer Randy Ebright, of the band Molotov, dubbed himself El Gringo Loco (The Crazy Anglo).
Meanings

* The Anglosphere: Latino migrants to the USA occasionally use the term as a more derogatory synonym of Anglo.
* In Central America, the word is not pejorative. In Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica the term refers to U.S. citizens. In the Dominican Republic it also means a non-free range store bought chicken (pollo gringo). In Puerto Rico, the term refers to U.S. citizens in the U.S. mainland.
* In the countries of South America where this term is used, the word is not pejorative. In some countries it may be used to refer to any foreigner who does not speak Spanish as a native language, or in Brazil, someone who does not speak Portuguese as a native language, but in other countries it is used just or especially to refer to U.S. citizens; it may also be used to describe a blond or brunette white native person with soft facial features and light colored eyes. For instance, it is a popular nickname.

o In Uruguay and Chile, apart from being used to refer to citizens of the United States, it can be applied to European people; particularly those who conform to the physical stereotype (blond hair, blue eyes, fair skin).
o In Peru the word gringo is used all over the country among white and non white population. It is used to refer White people. It is not pejorative.
o In Ecuador the word gringo can be used to refer to foreigners from any country, not only the United States, though the likelihood of being described as a gringo increases the closer one's physical appearance is to that of a stereotypical northern European.

Etymology
Folk etymologies
There are many popular but unsupported etymologies for this word, many of which relate it to the United States Army in some way or another.
Mexican-American War
A recurring etymology of gringo states that it originated during the Mexican-American War of 1846-48. Gringo comes from "green coat" and was used in reference to the American soldiers and the green color of their uniforms (U.S. Army uniforms of the time were blue). Yet another story, from Mexico, holds that Mexicans with knowledge of the English language used to write "greens go home" on street walls referring to the color of the uniforms of the invading army; subsequently, it became a common habitual action for the rest of the population to yell "green go" whenever U.S. soldiers passed by.

These explanations are unlikely, since the U.S. Army did not use green uniforms until the 1940s, but rather blue ones, and after that brown (early 20th century including World War I).

Another assertion maintains that one of two songs – either "Green Grow the Lilacs" or "O Green Grow the Rushes" – was popular at the time and that Mexicans heard the invading U.S. troops singing "Green grow..." and contracted this into gringo.

Another hypothesis maintains that the U.S. troops, during the Mexican-US war were looking for the green grass (Marihuana) which may be misunderstood by the Mexicans as "gringo"

However, there is ample evidence that the use of the word predates the Mexican-American War.
Other "green" derivations

In the Dominican Republic it is said that the term was a mispronunciation of the words "green gold", referring to the green color of U.S. currency, as well as the corruption of the exclamation: "green go!", said to have voiced local opposition within the volatile context of both U.S. military interventions to the Island. Another interpretation makes a generalized character judgment of U.S. citizens: "they see 'green' (money) and they 'go' (after it)".
"Greek" hypothesis

According to the Catalan etymologist Joan Coromines, gringo is derived from griego (Spanish for "Greek"), the archetypal term for an unintelligible language (a usage found also in the Shakespearean "it was Greek to me" and its derivative "It's all Greek to me"). From referring simply to language, it was extended to people speaking foreign tongues and to their physical features — similar to the development of the ancient Greek word βάρβαρος (bárbaros), "barbarian". Still, scholars are not in agreement about the correct origin of this word.
Brazil

In Brazil, the meaning and use of gringo differs significantly from the Spanish-speaking Latin American countries.

Etymologically, the word is documentedly not native to European Portuguese language and is actually borrowed from Spanish since the 19th century at least. Thus the Greek reference is reinforced there as the word "grego" for Greek in Portuguese (without the "i") would not have given "gringo". Also in Brazilian or even Portuguese popular culture, someone unintelligible is traditionaly said to speak Greek (sometimes German or, much more recently, Chinese).

This is also reflected in that the word usage is not naturally widespread and only generally in regions exposed to tourism like Rio de Janeiro. There, the word means basically any foreigner, North American, European or even Latin American, though generally applying more to any English-speaking person and not necessarily based on race or skin color but rather on attitude and clothing. The word for fair skinned and blond people would be rather "Alemão" (i.e., German).
Other uses
In Mexican cuisine, a gringa is a flour tortilla taco of spiced pork (carne al pastor) with cheese, heated on the comal and then served with a salsa de chile (chile sauce). The explanation of this particular platter refers to a pun : A "gringa" is a "taco al pastor", but white (flour tortilla instead of corn tortilla) and with cheese in it, but has the same pork on the inside as regular "taco al pastor". This meaning that gringos (anglos), may look different on the outside, but are basically the same on the inside.
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Going back a little: "Hispanophones disagree whether or not gringo is derogatory"... so there.... there is disagreement.... but that is good. What is not good is that you feel offended. I did not mean to do that. My apologies if I did.

Further.... you say that it is wrong to accept that the term American is a misnomer. What is it then? I don't say what it is. It appears that you labeled it as such and now you turn around and try to blame me. I am not saying that it is a misnomer but if it isn't, than you tell me what it is. It is as if a Mexican had traveled to Europe and decided to settle in say.... England and calls it Joselandia. All of Europe is Joselandia, but only himself can be called Joseland. The French is French, the German is German. That's pretty much what happened with the US. The US lacks a name.... oh my god!!! the US has no name..as you -again- suggested and invited me to disagree for further admonishing...... ... Americo Vespucio had no idea....... Mexico official name is Estados Unidos Mexicanos and also, has a name as Mexico.Mexico city is Tenochtitlan..... with history, pride and heritage and reason for its name. What about the US? It seems like the name US of America only describes the country but does not give it a name.. is that why the US decided to appropriate America as its own name?... well sorry.... that was taken already... google up for another one.
Anyone can see that there is a little problem here.... on the other hand... you could accept the Baja Gringo invitation and discuss it face to face... Pacificos are hard to resist anyway....
Humbly,

Chilango

Cardon Man - 8-13-2009 at 02:52 PM

On a recent trip through Mexico City I saw a newstand that featured a magazine called 'Chilango'.

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
You can use the simple term "Mexican" and based on your intent, facial expression and tone of voice indicate two very different things.

Yep....I wonder at what point in time a noun became an adjective. Probably with the first El Torito's.

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Some of the most polite and well mannered people in life will smile and greet you graciously as they secretly hold a knife in their other hand, behind their back.

Now you know why all "those Mexicans" are constantly shaking hands. They just want to make sure they're empty.

Bajahowodd - 8-13-2009 at 03:00 PM

I think what this thread has determined is that be it perceived a a slur or a term of endearment is all situational.

BajaGringo - 8-13-2009 at 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Now you know why all "those Mexicans" are constantly shaking hands. They just want to make sure they're empty.

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LOSARIPES
I have not come across any Mexican that would call himself a beaner.

I'm willing to wager they never called themselves Gringo either. Wonder why?
Jeezo....This is as far as I got into your book before I had to reply. Lemme get a six-pak and dive into it.
Don't turn out the lights. I may be back soon.

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LOSARIPES
The term Gringo and Beaner are worlds apart.

Why? How?

Aw crap...now I lost my place.

Bajahowodd - 8-13-2009 at 03:13 PM

It may have to do with the fact that one cannot think of Mexicans referring to themselves as beaners (they have many other perjoratives to choose from), while North of the Border, the use of gringo as a self-identifier is somewhat common.

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LOSARIPES
drummer Randy Ebright, of the band Molotov, dubbed himself El Gringo Loco (The Crazy Anglo).

Is that right? Well....Randy has always been one of my hallmarks of American morality. [he is an American, isn't he?]

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
It may have to do with the fact that one cannot think of Mexicans referring to themselves as beaners (they have many other perjoratives to choose from), while North of the Border, the use of gringo as a self-identifier is somewhat common.

Not to mention its use by the less sensitive of BajaNomad.

BajaGringo - 8-13-2009 at 03:20 PM

Missed me Dennis - I saw it coming and ducked!

:biggrin:

Bajahowodd - 8-13-2009 at 03:22 PM

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, my friend. Being a part of this board, I've learned that Dennis is a true veteran, having been in Mexico some three decades. I don't know how much time you have spent nob in that time, but perhaps we should consider that thirty years ago, you would have been absolutely correct in feeling that the term was nothing but an insult. Society moves forward. For better or for worse. Could it not be that it may have snuck passed you?

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LOSARIPES

Further.... you say that it is wrong to accept that the term American is a misnomer. What is it then? I don't say what it is. It appears that you labeled it as such and now you turn around and try to blame me.

Too many recent deaths in the name of The United States Of America to even think the name is wrong. If that's not our name, we have no name at all. You are denying these young soldiers a name for the country they fought for and you are giving away our identity to detractors who have nothing but hatred towards us. They arn't language purists.
I couldn't care if it's geographically correct. I don't give a crap. What I do know is it's our country and our name and if that bothers anybody on the hemisphere, cut off their foreign aid.
Where do you come off, in this time in this world, denying your country the name it's had from day one. Is that what you call being humble?

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Missed me Dennis - I saw it coming and ducked!

:biggrin:

I didn't throw that shoe at you.

BajaGringo - 8-13-2009 at 03:44 PM

I know but I didn't know if you are as accurate as that Iraqi journalist...

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Society moves forward. For better or for worse. Could it not be that it may have snuck passed you?

Well, I'm not in Mongolia. I just happen to have made strong commitments in the past which I need good reasons to ammend. So far here with this issue, I havn't seen any and blind tolerance will never be in the running for me.

Bajahowodd - 8-13-2009 at 03:49 PM

Is Sharkey's closed on Thursdays? :biggrin:

Cypress - 8-13-2009 at 03:52 PM

Gringo? No big deal. If you go south of the border, you'll be one. :yes:

There's no harm meant nor insult intended.

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Is Sharkey's closed on Thursdays? :biggrin:

I don't know. Haven't been there for a month. Sick of the place.

BajaGringo - 8-13-2009 at 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Is Sharkey's closed on Thursdays? :biggrin:

I don't know. Haven't been there for a month. Sick of the place.

Damn!

And I was looking forward to stopping in there one of these days to see if I would find you there...

DENNIS - 8-13-2009 at 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by morgaine7
The use of the term among expats is what gets to me

I agree. I cringe when an expat uses the term in front of Mexicans. Although the Mexican can usually maintain a stoic demeanor, the word usually invokes a small smile or a small frown. That tells you a lot about his heart.

BajaGringo - 8-13-2009 at 04:05 PM

That's it!!!

Now that I know what is secretly in my wife's heart I am getting a divorce.

Man, she really had me fooled...

Bajahowodd - 8-13-2009 at 04:06 PM

Sharkey's would be great for a "meetup"!

CaboRon - 8-13-2009 at 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Latino? Chicano? Guero? Gringo? All non-specific

Gringo .... Beaner .... who cares ?

For those who think 'Gringo' is like the N-word

arrowhead - 8-13-2009 at 05:52 PM

One wouldn't expect a mainline Mexican newspaper to print the N-word in a headline.

"¡El que no brinque es gringo!, grita la afición en la Benito Juárez "

http://www.lacronica.com/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Noticias/12082...

Translation: "Whoever is not jumping for joy is a Gringo! shouts the fans on Benito Juárez"

BajaNuts - 8-13-2009 at 06:31 PM

"translation: "Whoever is not jumping for joy is a Gringo! shouts the fans on Benito Juárez"

whoever is not jumping for joy is not a Mexican.

That makes sense to me and does not sound insulting, it sounds like national pride.

I thought the term gringo was in reference to FOREIGNERS of any nationality! I don't know where or when it got sucked up to mean people from the USA and Canada ( notice I didn't say the US or America) but I thought it was in reference to all foreigners.

I think residents of USA and Canada should stop claiming the title of gringo! We're not the only non-Mexicans to visit Mexico (think about that one with double cadillac margarita under yer belt..:biggrin

.

There are slang terms for every culture and why is it non-blacks can't say the "N"-word (which is heard very often spoken by black people but if a non-black person utters the word, it's jail time....) but we can say Yankee and "cracker" and blacks can say yankee and cracker and noone bats an eye at those terms?!?

Not even going to get into slang terms for other nationalities.

Howard - 8-13-2009 at 08:38 PM

What is all the fuss about? I named my Yellow Lab Gringo. Gringo, (aka Gringo the Dingo) in the 3 years I have had him he has not mentioned one time that he is offended. On the other hand, I got mail from offended Dingo’s from down under
.

BajaNuts - 8-13-2009 at 09:10 PM

WHATINTHEWORLDWEREYOUTHINKINGBYNAMINGALABADINGO?!?!?

That is SO INSULTING! A Lab would NEVER condescend to be a Dingo!

Course, then again.......dingos would probably view labs as pampered snootys.

:lol:

love all dogs~~~

[Edited on 8-14-2009 by BajaNuts]

Lab Names

bajaguy - 8-13-2009 at 09:15 PM

Had a lab named Abbie........Abbie Normal

Ask a Mexican...

bajamigo - 8-14-2009 at 08:06 AM

Dear Readers: Few features of this column are more controversial than the Mexican's preference for gabacho rather than gringo to describe gabachos. Technically, gabacho refers to an inhabitant of the Pyrenees, but it became a Spanish slur for a Frenchman over the centuries. The Royal Academy of Spanish states gabacho originated from the Provençal word gavach, which means "bad-speaking." (Quick note for amateur etymologists: Don't believe the 2000 collection Chicano Folklore: A Guide to the Folktales, Traditions, Rituals and Religious Practices of Mexican Americans, which states gabacho comes from an arcane Castilian term meaning "a current of water," or the NTC's Dictionary of Mexican Cultural Code Words edition claiming, "When Mexican men noted that foreign men often helped their wives in the kitchen, something a Mexican male wouldn't dream of doing, they began calling such men gabachos or 'aprons.'")

When the French briefly conquered Mexico during the 1860s, the Mexicans correctly ridiculed the occupying army as gabachos; after los franceses left, the term remained, and Mexicans applied it to their perpetual antagonists: Americans. Nevertheless, many Mexicans grumble that I should call gabachos gringos since it's the more accurate term for gabachos (funnily, none ever ask I stop slurring our pasty amigos). So why does this Mexican use gabacho? Besides growing up with the word, it allows Mexicans to smuggle two ethnic slurs in uno handy word—not only are we calling gabachos gringos, but we're also calling them French. Parlez-vous double insult, cabrones?

[Edited on 8-14-2009 by bajamigo]

vandenberg - 8-14-2009 at 08:48 AM

Bajamigo,

Just because I have to take a bath in #50 suntan lotion before I go in the sun, doesn't give you a right to call me "Pasty" :biggrin:

DENNIS - 8-14-2009 at 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
Bajamigo,

Just because I have to take a bath in #50 suntan lotion before I go in the sun, doesn't give you a right to call me "Pasty" :biggrin:

"Pasty" translates to "Honky." BEEP BEEP

Gabacho ---Slamacho....I prefer 'Your Excellency" but you don't hear that much anymore. Maybe Howard was right....the world has passed me by.

Woooosh - 8-14-2009 at 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Howard
What is all the fuss about? I named my Yellow Lab Gringo. Gringo, (aka Gringo the Dingo) in the 3 years I have had him he has not mentioned one time that he is offended. On the other hand, I got mail from offended Dingo’s from down under
.

My yellow lab "Guero" happily comes when I call him too. No offense taken by him unless I'm empty handed.

BajaGringo - 8-14-2009 at 09:39 AM

I will accept that at some point in language history the word "gringo" may have been considered an insult. But like us, time changes and language use as well.

Many words commonly used in day to day English vernacular now may carry an implied meaning much different than the definition you may find in Websters. I suppose that may upset the language purists out there but I doubt that even they speak the King's English.

The world evolves and so does language. I care more about what is in a man's heart...

Bajahowodd - 8-14-2009 at 11:36 AM

Did someone say, "honky"? :spingrin:

Woooosh - 8-14-2009 at 11:49 AM

Like "cochino"? My family uses that term all the time. You pick your nose- Cochino, you throw your litter on the ground- Cochino, Guero licks himself- Cochino. I guess there aren't any unclean chinese to be upset about it. We did have one asian houseguest who wasn't happy about the liberal usage of it- at our house anyway.

DENNIS - 8-14-2009 at 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Like "cochino"? My family uses that term all the time. You pick your nose- Cochino, you throw your litter on the ground- Cochino, Guero licks himself- Cochino. I guess there aren't any unclean chinese to be upset about it. We did have one asian houseguest who wasn't happy about the liberal usage of it- at our house anyway.

Are the words, Chino and Cochino related? I didn't know that.
---------------

cochino, -a
adjective1. filthy (sucio); bloody (informal) (maldito)
¡está obsesionado con el cochino, -a dinero! -> with him it's always money, money, money! masculine or feminine noun2. pig, (f) sow (animal)

BajaGringo - 8-14-2009 at 11:56 AM

I am not touching that one with a 10 foot chopstick...

:biggrin:

arrowhead - 8-14-2009 at 12:00 PM

Quote:

Cochino and chino are unrelated words. Cochino literally means "hog" or "pig" and is commonly used as the word for "filthy". Chino=chinese, but is used to mean any Asian.

LOSARIPES - 8-14-2009 at 12:07 PM

Arrowhead... you've got that right.

Dennis.... I'll get back to you. We have "issues"......... just kidding.... :lol:

Sharksbaja - 8-14-2009 at 12:15 PM

"There once was a dog named Dingo

He lived in Baja with some Gringo

He disliked being called dog names like "Bingo"

But his bark was much worse than his lingo"

anon the pooch

DENNIS - 8-14-2009 at 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LOSARIPES

Dennis.... I'll get back to you. We have "issues"......... just kidding.... :lol:

Charmin immediatly came to mind but, I reread.
Nah...we don't have issues. It's all just fun 'n games. This place is my new Sharky's.
Rigid c-cktails for everybody, on me.

LOSARIPES - 8-14-2009 at 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by LOSARIPES

Dennis.... I'll get back to you. We have "issues"......... just kidding.... :lol:

Charmin immediatly came to mind but, I reread.
Nah...we don't have issues. It's all just fun 'n games. This place is my new Sharky's.
Rigid c-cktails for everybody, on me.

I kind of like that.... cheers!

Skeet/Loreto - 8-14-2009 at 02:46 PM

Dennis:
I have always found the word "Gringo' Offensive. I have said so on this board several times.

I started out with my Mexicanos Friends many , many years ago in Loreto when I gave them a Lesson on the Beach.
I told them that they call me an Americano, I call them a Mexicano. Otherwise if I am addressed as Gringo I will call them a "Greaser' or a "Spick".

that solved the problem and I was only addressed that way one time and the young man was corrected by his Father who told him to address me as an Americano

Skeet

DENNIS - 8-14-2009 at 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Dennis:
I have always found the word "Gringo' Offensive. I have said so on this board several times.

I started out with my Mexicanos Friends many , many years ago in Loreto when I gave them a Lesson on the Beach.
I told them that they call me an Americano, I call them a Mexicano. Otherwise if I am addressed as Gringo I will call them a "Greaser' or a "Spick".

that solved the problem and I was only addressed that way one time and the young man was corrected by his Father who told him to address me as an Americano

Skeet

Skeet, mi amigo....you are wise beyond your years....behind your ears, too.
Thanks Pal.......

tripledigitken - 8-14-2009 at 04:31 PM

Can we boil this all down and summarize before many of us sign off for the weekend?

Bajahowodd - 8-14-2009 at 04:37 PM

I've maintained all along that it is almost always a situation matter. That, plus usually, the group in the majority is more immune to slurs. The good news is that younger generations are more open to diversity and generally are less offended by words that may have been lightning rods to older folks. G'night.