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Bill

Aug 27, 2002, 9:21 AM

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Many of us gringos are called 'Gabachos" in parts of MX.
What is the literal translation?
Is it an insult, if someone you don't know calls you Gabacho?

Mereja

Aug 27, 2002, 10:17 AM

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I prefer to be called a gabacha. I think it comes from what they use to call the French. But, to me it has more of a neutral meaning that gringa. For some reason, I don't like being called a gringa, but it does depend on who and how it is said.
Mereja<p>: Many of us gringos are called 'Gabachos" in parts of MX.
: What is the literal translation?
: Is it an insult, if someone you don't know calls you Gabacho?<p>

canuck

Aug 27, 2002, 10:52 PM

Post #3 of 15 (2153 views)

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My dictionary (Oxford Spanish/English) translates gabacho as "frog" for Spain and "foreigner (of North American or European origin)" for Mexico. I was told here in Morelia that its basically used to refer to Americans. I'm so disappointed that there doesn't seem to be any cute names to refer to us Canadians.<p><p>: I prefer to be called a gabacha. I think it comes from what they use to call the French. But, to me it has more of a neutral meaning that gringa. For some reason, I don't like being called a gringa, but it does depend on who and how it is said.
: Mereja<p>: : Many of us gringos are called 'Gabachos" in parts of MX.
: : What is the literal translation?
: : Is it an insult, if someone you don't know calls you Gabacho?<p>

xochitl

Aug 28, 2002, 3:42 PM

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: At least here in Baja California Gabacho is more insulting than Gringo. A mexican friend (originally from Guaymas) said it means an ugly white guy. Gringo is pretty neutral, referring to anglos of either Candadian or US nationality

jerezano

Aug 28, 2002, 6:03 PM

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Question//Gabacho---awkward, without grace , etc

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Hola todos,<p>My dictionary tells me that gabacho means without grace, or awkward and was originally applied to people speaking Spanish incorrectly, and was then applied to Frenchmen, later to all foreigners, especially Europeans. Here in México, that includes foreigners from North America. <p>As is usual, the word can be "despectiva" depending on how it is used and by whom. One of my Mexican friends, as well as his wife has always called me a gabacho and with no insult intended. I think that this stems from the Los Angeles influence where they lived for a number of years. <p>Gabacho is also a term for a storm in the Pyranees.<p>Adios. Jerezano.

xochitl

Aug 28, 2002, 7:46 PM

Post #6 of 15 (2150 views)

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Question//Gabacho---awkward, without grace , etc

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:Although I am married to a mexican man, live in a mexican neighborhood, and speak pretty decent mexican spanish I cannot write in spanish. I am constantly amazed at the nick names we refer to our family and friends, we have gabachos and gabachitos, gordos, gringos, blanquitos, flojitos, vicenitos, they call me the fat white red woman, la pelliroja gordita gringa..oh well

jack

Aug 29, 2002, 10:10 AM

Post #7 of 15 (2152 views)

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Canadians are not &quot;gringos&quot;

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: :Although I am married to a mexican man, live in a mexican neighborhood, and speak pretty decent mexican spanish I cannot write in spanish. I am constantly amazed at the nick names we refer to our family and friends, we have gabachos and gabachitos, gordos, gringos, blanquitos, flojitos, vicenitos, they call me the fat white red woman, la pelliroja gordita gringa..oh well <p>

jack

Aug 29, 2002, 10:13 AM

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Canadians are not &quot;gringos&quot;

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My dictionary translates "gringolandia" as "Yankeeland" and therefore gringos are Americans. As a proud Canadian, I correct anyone who calls me a gringo. I can live with Gabacho, especially since I am of French-Canadian decent, and often referred to as "frogs" to which gabacho applies.

Al

Aug 29, 2002, 10:25 AM

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yes they are!

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As a far as MX goes, anyone with a an anglosaxon appearance--italians, germans, polish, mexicans, southamericans, american indians etc---are addressed/labeled gringos whether they know you or not!
The dictionary is used as a door stopper first when it comes to nicknaming people, not neccesarily to offend.<p>
: My dictionary translates "gringolandia" as "Yankeeland" and therefore gringos are Americans. As a proud Canadian, I correct anyone who calls me a gringo. I can live with Gabacho, especially since I am of French-Canadian decent, and often referred to as "frogs" to which gabacho applies.<p>

Scott

Aug 29, 2002, 10:58 PM

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No they aren't

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Mexicans refer to us as gringos based on an assumption that anyone with white skin in Mexico is American. However, after it becomes known I am Canadian the use of the word gringo ends. Gringo refers to an American, plain and simple. <p>: As a far as MX goes, anyone with a an anglosaxon appearance--italians, germans, polish, mexicans, southamericans, american indians etc---are addressed/labeled gringos whether they know you or not!
: The dictionary is used as a door stopper first when it comes to nicknaming people, not neccesarily to offend.<p>:
: : My dictionary translates "gringolandia" as "Yankeeland" and therefore gringos are Americans. As a proud Canadian, I correct anyone who calls me a gringo. I can live with Gabacho, especially since I am of French-Canadian decent, and often referred to as "frogs" to which gabacho applies.<p>

Culichi

Aug 30, 2002, 11:35 AM

Post #11 of 15 (2148 views)

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Canadian = gringo sin pistola

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: : :Although I am married to a mexican man, live in a mexican neighborhood, and speak pretty decent mexican spanish I cannot write in spanish. I am constantly amazed at the nick names we refer to our family and friends, we have gabachos and gabachitos, gordos, gringos, blanquitos, flojitos, vicenitos, they call me the fat white red woman, la pelliroja gordita gringa..oh well <p>

Brent

Aug 30, 2002, 12:32 PM

Post #12 of 15 (2144 views)

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yes they are!

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In Chicago,they are all " Polacos"<p>: As a far as MX goes, anyone with a an anglosaxon appearance--italians, germans, polish, mexicans, southamericans, american indians etc---are addressed/labeled gringos whether they know you or not!
: The dictionary is used as a door stopper first when it comes to nicknaming people, not neccesarily to offend.<p>:
: : My dictionary translates "gringolandia" as "Yankeeland" and therefore gringos are Americans. As a proud Canadian, I correct anyone who calls me a gringo. I can live with Gabacho, especially since I am of French-Canadian decent, and often referred to as "frogs" to which gabacho applies.<p>

hobbes03

Sep 3, 2002, 7:26 AM

Post #13 of 15 (2151 views)

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: My dictionary (Oxford Spanish/English) translates gabacho as "frog" for Spain and "foreigner (of North American or European origin)" for Mexico. I was told here in Morelia that its basically used to refer to Americans. I'm so disappointed that there doesn't seem to be any cute names to refer to us Canadians.<p>Well, if you were from Quebec, you could be called 'Tabarnaco' by Mexicans.... LOL!!!!<p>

Mereja

Sep 3, 2002, 9:43 AM

Post #14 of 15 (2147 views)

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Canadians are not

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My husband is pretty dark and his family calls him "guero". I have heard this used instead of gringo or gabacho.
Mereja<p>: : :Although I am married to a mexican man, live in a mexican neighborhood, and speak pretty decent mexican spanish I cannot write in spanish. I am constantly amazed at the nick names we refer to our family and friends, we have gabachos and gabachitos, gordos, gringos, blanquitos, flojitos, vicenitos, they call me the fat white red woman, la pelliroja gordita gringa..oh well <p>

Rubén

Sep 6, 2002, 7:20 PM

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:Come on! There are millions with white skin in Mexico and they are not called gringo,they are Mexicans. We call gringos to any one that is white, foreigner, and speaks only English, and is from the USA. The term, gabacho, is used only by the MexAmerican in the States.
 
 
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