Life Sentences
Monday, February 16, 2009
Spanish slang - Chingón
Chingón -
Meaning: Awesome
I have a feeling though that this is a little more vulgar than it appears. Not that it's a curse word, but just has other meanings.
See here
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Spanish slang word for the day - Mariposa
Mariposa - it's the Spanish word for butterfly but in prison at least it means someone who is homosexual or at least acts that way.
As with many words in Spanish, there are double meanings in which the definition can only be determined based on where and how it is said.
As with many words in Spanish, there are double meanings in which the definition can only be determined based on where and how it is said.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Prison slang word for the day - Checking off
Not sure how official this list really is, but at least it's what I've heard anyway.
Checking off is a term used to describe someone who owes another person money or something else of value and seeks to avoid paying by intentionally getting into trouble. Generally they would want to get sent to solitary or the hole for protection.
Checking off is a term used to describe someone who owes another person money or something else of value and seeks to avoid paying by intentionally getting into trouble. Generally they would want to get sent to solitary or the hole for protection.
Commercial Holiday Nazis
What is it with people who constantly remind you of the upcoming commercial holidays? They want to know, "What are you doing for Valentine's day?" "What are you getting your wife for Valentine's day?"
Of course it never stops. Valentine's, Easter, Memorial day, July 4, Labor day, Halloween, Christmas.
Before you know it Wal-mart will have their own President's day aisle. Cinco de mayo? Why not.
If we can sell candy for it, we'll do it.
My problem isn't so much with the commerciality of the holidays but with the guilt trip associated with not celebrating them.
Heaven forbid I don't buy a diamond every Valentine's day for my wife. Guess that means I don't love her.
Whatever.
Of course it never stops. Valentine's, Easter, Memorial day, July 4, Labor day, Halloween, Christmas.
Before you know it Wal-mart will have their own President's day aisle. Cinco de mayo? Why not.
If we can sell candy for it, we'll do it.
My problem isn't so much with the commerciality of the holidays but with the guilt trip associated with not celebrating them.
Heaven forbid I don't buy a diamond every Valentine's day for my wife. Guess that means I don't love her.
Whatever.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Spanish slang word for the day - Burro
So when I started teaching English in the prison I got a crash course in Spanish. Unfortunately I didn't know very many words and the ones I heard I didn't recognize. That's mainly because they were either slang or curse words or both.
So I've tried to learn from them while I teach and also look up any words I hear that I may not recognize. I will attempt to keep them somewhat organized and post some regularly.
One great thing about Spanish is it's easy to pick up and sometimes gives you a false confidence. So when I first began using a few words I learned there were many times I made the class laugh.
As with any language, words don't always transliterate exactly and sometimes there's a disconnect.
Which brings me to introduce the first word I ever learned in Spanish (besides hola):
burro =
I don't know how I picked it up but one day I said it and the class roared with laughter. Maybe because it was slang or because it was a slight insult but by now it is a term of familiarity.
When I'm teaching I hear it regularly now, "Como esta, burro maestro?" Of course I know by now it's not meant as an insult so I take no offense. Mainly because it goes both ways. "Bien Burro! Bien." Sometimes it's even the first thing I hear. "Buenos Dias Burros!" is how I greet the class. They just laugh and return the greeting.
I guess you could say I'm rather fortunate to be able to use such a word in such a place and not have people mad. In fact Spanish speaking people who aren't in my classes even greet me now in much the same way.
That doesn't mean I would use it if I took a trip to Mexico. :)
So I've tried to learn from them while I teach and also look up any words I hear that I may not recognize. I will attempt to keep them somewhat organized and post some regularly.
One great thing about Spanish is it's easy to pick up and sometimes gives you a false confidence. So when I first began using a few words I learned there were many times I made the class laugh.
As with any language, words don't always transliterate exactly and sometimes there's a disconnect.
Which brings me to introduce the first word I ever learned in Spanish (besides hola):
burro =
Meaning: donkey, dumb person, idiot
Examples: ¡Qué burro eres! (“You’re such a dummy!”)I don't know how I picked it up but one day I said it and the class roared with laughter. Maybe because it was slang or because it was a slight insult but by now it is a term of familiarity.
When I'm teaching I hear it regularly now, "Como esta, burro maestro?" Of course I know by now it's not meant as an insult so I take no offense. Mainly because it goes both ways. "Bien Burro! Bien." Sometimes it's even the first thing I hear. "Buenos Dias Burros!" is how I greet the class. They just laugh and return the greeting.
I guess you could say I'm rather fortunate to be able to use such a word in such a place and not have people mad. In fact Spanish speaking people who aren't in my classes even greet me now in much the same way.
That doesn't mean I would use it if I took a trip to Mexico. :)
