Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Vergazo
Costa Ricans will often use the word vergazo to mean a strong punch with a fist. This is a colloquial term you might hear in a rural cantina. Keep in mind that the word verga means 'dick'. So, this isn't exactly church language. (Of course, punching people isn't exactly church behavior either.)
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3 comments:
Hi! I just came across your blog and I think it's really great. My boyfriend of 5 years is a tico but has been in the States for 7 years now. I've only been to Costa Rica a few times and have mainly dealt with ticos from Sarchi (Alajuela) and Perez Zeledon (muy campesinos) and I have never heard them use the vosotros form before. As a Spanish major (I'm taking a Spanish Phonetics course right now) I've noticed that the ticos don't roll their "r" as often as other Spanish speakers (if at all). I wonder if you've noticed this? Compare native speakers from Puerto Rico saying their country's name vs. Costa Ricans saying Costa Rica (also words like perro, carro, rosa). It's still a strong "r" but different from what I can tell. Again, very interesting website and I will be back to see what other nuances you find! I'm going to share the blog with my tico friends to see what they think! Thanks! :) Pura Vida!
Thanks for your comment, Caitlin. I'd be curious to hear what your boyfriend thinks about some of my blog posts. As for your question about the Costa Rican 'r-' or 'rr', please check out my blog post on the Costa Rican 'r'. As for the Puerto Rican pronunciation, I have heard some say it like an 'l', like [Puelto Lico]. Often this signature Puerto Rican pronunciation is used--if not exaggerated--by reggaetón artists from Puerto Rico. I only say this because it's a verifiable example that I can think of. I specifically recall Fat Joe in the expanded version of "Reggaetón Latino" when he referred to himself as "El Goldo" (instead of "El Gordo").
Hey Thomas,
Interesting post about "vergazo." I never heard this word in the Central Pacific Zone, but "pichazo" was used quite frequently. Same meaning, same phallic root. Cheers.
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