When somebody sneezes, we say bless you or gesundheit. But suppose that person coughs. Are you supposed to say something — or are they? Plus, Mexican standoffs, gracious plenty, linguistic false friends, southpaw vs. northpaw, the slang of rabbit...
Beware of linguistic false friends, also known as false cognates. You wouldn’t want to say you’re feeling embarazada in Spanish, unless you want to say you’re pregnant. And don’t order the tuna in Spain unless you want to...
Crispie n.— «They have bought so much property in England, Spain and in countries in Eastern Europe that they have been dubbed Crispies—short for cash-rich Irish seeking properties in Europe.» —“An Irish Taste for Real Estate in...
Lebanese loop n.— «In addition, the so-called “Lebanese loop card trap” has spread across Argentina, Canada, Spain and the United States. For this crime, first discovered in Lebanon, a card trap, which uses a strip of film, is...
Yomango n.— «The source of inspiration is Yomango, a movement that began in Spain (the word means “I steal” in Spanish slang) and has spread to Germany and South America. The movement calls for the “liberation of...
fooding n.— «Es el nuevo «deporte» de mesa: la de la típica casa de comidas con menú del día o la del restaurante más sofisticado. Una moda para paladares inquietos con sus propias tendencias. No hay...