Spanish Word of the Day

Our never ending search to know the difference between dictionary definitions, and how words are really used, leads us to the question of what other uses the word has in Mexico. Does it mean the same thing as drumstick in English?


Ron Palillo played a well known TV character, but his surname at birth was "Paolillo" and he is of Italian descent.

If you mean palillo, it does not mean drumstick. A chicken drumstick is called "pierna de pollo." In theory "pierna" applies to people and "pata" to animals. But in Mexico it's customary to say "pierna" when referring to food. There's also "pierna de cerdo," and "bistec de pierna de res." "Pata" is used in connection with food when referencing hooves, claws and such. "pata de res," for example, is minced cow hoof meat (or something, it looks like plastic when ready to eat). This isn't hard and fast. a similar pork product is called "manitas de cerdo."

Quote: Nareed

If you mean palillo, it does not mean drumstick.

I thought so. I never heard a chicken drumstick called that in Mexico. But the dictionary definition says:
palillo (English) matchstick - toothpick - drumstick - pick - bread stick - chopstick - cocktail stick - reedy

Palillo is a bit of a hold-over. Diminutives now are different. A bread stick, for example, is a "palito de pan." On the other hand, chopsticks are called "palillos chinos." This makes for odd fun when eating at Japanese restaurants

Quote: Nareed

chopsticks are called "palillos chinos." This makes for odd fun when eating at Japanese restaurants

Well the English word "chopsticks" is basically pidgin English, and a little insulting. But the term is over 300 years old which would make it older than the fork. So we aren't in a hurry to adopt the real word.

Quote: Pacomartin

Well the English word "chopsticks" is basically pidgin English, and a little insulting. But the term is over 300 years old which would make it older than the fork. So we aren't in a hurry to adopt the real word.

What is the real word? Also, what is insulting about "chopsticks"?

Fecha: 2-6-13
Palabra: Cerrojo

When I encountered this word I think it would mean "closed eye" but that didn't make sense in the context I found it. Actually, it means bolt.

The question for the advanced readers is what does an ojo (eye) have to do with a bolt?

Quote: Wizard

What is the real word? Also, what is insulting about "chopsticks"?

The Chinese term for "quick-quick" is "kuài kuài", which was mis-pronounced into Pidgin English as chop-chop.
The Chinese word for the utensil is "kuaizi" which is a combination of symbols for "quick" and "bamboo". In Pidgin it became "chopsticks".

Pidgin English is not overtly insulting. You might say to a white friend "Hurry up, chop chop", but you would probably feel funny saying the same thing to a Chinese friend.

Pidgins developed in a lot of places where English bosses could not be bothered to learn the native language.

But I made the point the context of Nareed's comment. She said the utensils are called "Chinese sticks" which is slightly awkward if you are eating Japanese. The utensils are used equally used in Japan as well as China. While English does not overtly call them Chinese sticks, it uses a word derived in Pidgin English which is based on mispronounced Chinese words.

The Latin word "veruculum" means "lance or spear", and is the ancestor of Spanish word "cerrojo". The most primitive bolt was probably a spear in some U shaped pieces of metal that bolted a door shut.

André Rieu is playing the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City September 18-20. Anyone interesting in going? Click the link if you're not familiar with who he is.

Quote: Wizard

Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City September 18-20.

Don't forget that September 16th is Mexican Independence Day,
Mexicans!
Long live the heroes that gave us the Fatherland!
Long live Hidalgo!
Long live Morelos!
Long live Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez!
Long live Allende!
Long live Galena and the Bravos!
Long live Aldama and Matamoros!
Long live National Independence!
Long Live Mexico! Long Live Mexico! Long Live Mexico!

What does the word pelota mean in this context:

¿A que Lockhart es el tío más pelota que has conocido en tu vida?