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ken_in_dfw

Apr 29, 2009, 9:00 PM

Post #1 of 4 (2660 views)

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Where life is not a bowl of "ceresos"

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OK, so I was reading an article about some peace-lovin' folks fighting for their rights down in Bubba-land, when I came across a word that has stumped my 12-pound Collins Unabridged Spanish-English Dictionary. The word is "cereso."

There is a "cerezo," which means cherry tree. But, somehow, I don't think the fine folks in this article are cherry-pickers. I gather, based on the usage, that it means "prison" or "jail."

But I'm more than a little perplexed as to how a word for cherry tree became associated with incarceration. Thoughts anyone?

Como siempre, gracias por la generosidad de sabiduría que está en MexConnect.

Ken

tonyburton

Apr 29, 2009, 9:08 PM

Post #2 of 4 (2657 views)

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Re: [kenhjr] Where life is not a bowl of "ceresos"

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Cereso = centro de rehabilitación social = prison/gaol.

ken_in_dfw

Apr 30, 2009, 7:41 AM

Post #3 of 4 (2646 views)

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Re: [tonyburton] Where life is not a bowl of "ceresos"

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Aha! And just like that, the light bulb turns on, Tony!

Language is an interesting thing. I forget how often we speak in acronyms. That certainly extends the learning process. Oh well, more hills to conquer.

Thanks very much.

gpkgto

May 3, 2009, 12:29 PM

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Re: [tonyburton] Where life is not a bowl of "ceresos"

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Is there a list of all these Mexican contractions somewhere? The newspapers are full of stories about various governmental groups, etc. and they are only identified by their contracted names. Also road signe, etc.