Spanish Word of the Day

Quote: Wizard

Fecha: 22-12-13
Palabra: Rabillo

Today's SWD means corner or tip.

I'm afraid not:

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/spanish-english/rabillo

http://buscon.rae.es/drae/srv/search?val=rabillo

Quote: Wizard

Fecha: 6-11-13
Palabra: Rabo
Today's SWD means tail.

It would be difficult to have "rabo" mean "tail" and "rabillo" mean anything other than "little tail".

The problem is that you are using an idiom for your definition., It is pretty clear that a lot of phrases could be used for the narrow part of the eye including a tail, yet the idiom in English is "the corner of your eye".

Me miró de reojo. also means "He looked at me out of the corner of his eye."

But in this case the adjective is more literal in that it means "askance".

Quote: Pacomartin

It would be difficult to have "rabo" mean "tail" and "rabillo" mean anything other than "little tail".

Eccentircities of language aside, yes. But "rabillo" also can refer to tail-shaped things that are not themselves tails.

In any case, it doesn't mean corner other than when used as "corner of the eye."

Quote: Wizard

La maleta de el Sr. Howell esta en el rabillo de su cabaña. = Mr. Howell's suitcase is in the corner of his hut.

I was going to let this one slide beauce 1) it's an improvement over prior attempts and 2) it's technically correct. But, unlike a bureaucracy, "techincally" is not the "best kind" of correct. So I'll say: you're in the right track, but the common usage is "del" as in "la maleta DEL Sr. Howell..."

Saying "de el" is, as I said, technically correct. But 1) there is a tendency to avoid using the same vowel to end and start consecutive words, and 2) there are no contractions in Spanish, or none that can be seen. "Del" does mean "de el," and it's very likely a contraction. There is no single word term for "de LA." Likely because "la" begins with a consonant.

Quote: Nareed

Saying "de el" is, as I said, technically correct.

The other contraction is "a el"-> al.

I didn't think the contractions were optional like in English

Quote: Pacomartin

The other contraction is "a el"-> al.

I didn't think the contractions were optional like in English

They're certainly not mandatory. And sometimes they shouldn't be used.

For example, if we were going to the movies I'd say "Paco, vamos AL cine." If someone then asked where you were, they'd be told "Paco está en EL cine." Now, if I were to tell someone "Tell it to him," I'd say "Díselo A EL." If I were to say "It's his," I would use "Es DE EL." In the last two cases, you never say "Díselo AL," or "Es DEL."

BTW the "technically correct" bit is from a Futurama episode. This is said by the top-most bureaucrat:

"Bureaucrat Conrad, you are technically correct. The best kind of correct."

He also says "Don't quote me the regulations! I was on the comittee that wrote the recommendation on revising the cover for the regulations! We kept it gray."

I miss the show...

Fecha: 23-12-13
Palabra: Ovillo

Today's SWD means ball.

The assignment for the advanced readers is to compare and contrast ovillo, bola, y pelota.

Gilligan estalló el ovillo de baloncesto. = Gillilgan popped the basketball.

Quote: Wizard

Today's SWD means ball.

Uh, not really. It means a ball of yarn.

Quote:

Gilligan estalló el ovillo de baloncesto. = Gillilgan popped the basketball.

"Estalló" means "exploded."

Quote: Nareed

"Estalló" means "exploded."

I know, but I didn't know of a better word for "pop," as in to pop a balloon, and an online translator suggested estallar. I'm all ears to better suggestions.