This is my bike. I cruise on it around the city while listening to reggae on my Ipod.
I say I'm Canadian down here because you don't see billboards with Harper on them. Note: Anyone from North America is known as a Yankee in which they say SHANG-kee
I like elephants too.
As I am learning more of the language, I can't help note certain vocabulary they use and what would be the translated equivalent.
Aparecer hasta en la sopa - to appear in the soup. You know those people that you can't stand and they seem to be everywhere you are? Or have you had some omen or sign keep reappearing in your life that makes you finally decide on that pending decision? This phrase could also mean "keep fallin in my lap" (if anyone uses that). I like it with the context of the annoying person. You've had enough of someone and lo and behold, you can't even have a break from them because they're in your soup as well!
Heavy - rundown, ghetto, destroyed; this term is taken from the phrase "Heavy Metal." North Americans know that as a type of music which Canadians particularly still love. This English word is inserted within the Spanish dialogue. If it's intensely "Heavy," then Argentines feel the liberty to say the whole phrase, "Heavy Metal." If it's really, really, really Heavy Metal, then the will put "re" in front of the phrase for further emphasis: "re Heavy Metal."
Constitucion and La Boca are two neighborhoods that neighbor mine that are considered "Heavy Metal." People from there can also be labeled with this term.
La gota que rebalso el vaso - The straw that broke the camel's back. I don't know why we use this phrase because there are no camels in North America nor are most North Americans from Middle Eastern or North African descent where they use camels. Anyhow, we understand that the camel is used to haul heavy loads just like a donkey or horse would be used. When a situation becomes too much then the weight of the situation crushes us. The Spanish phrase paints another image without the usage of a beast of burden and conveys, "the drop that overflowed the glass."
Lo que sea - whatever; it's more like what it will be or what it may be. I like the ring to it.
Rattys - police; Americans use "pigs" as a derogatory term towards those in the police force. Argentines prefer rattys - not just rats or it would be ratones, but rattys.
Sobremesa - this is the time spent after dinner with friends. The table is still a mess, the dishes aren't done and the food isn't put away because you're chatting it up with your friends. The term literally means "around the table" more or less.
Que culo - How lucky! If you're walking down the street and you find a big bill on the street, like a 20 or something, this is where you can use this. It actually means, "what tail" or "what ass."
That's all for now. I want to write about the dogs here but I need to take more photos of them first to really show you what's up with them.
Ciao,
Scott.
