origin of words-gringo(greengo)

[pepin46]

i have heard many versions in the past. one had to do with pancho villa invading texas.

i also have a book printed in 1892 where it makes reference to this word in cuba, but having to do with the spaniard soldier, which had green cuffs.

any other facts/opinions?


pep

 

[MadJack]

During the United States' war with Mexico, New Orleans was saturated with military activities. The city had not seen that much war readiness involvement since the Battle of New Orleans. In a strange way it seemed somewhat of a joyous time. With spirits running high, military men became infatuated with a popular song entitled Green Gros. They sang it every chance that presented itself. They sang the song while they marched, and they sang it when they were not marching. The Mexicans, hearing the song incessantly, began referring to all Americans as Green-gros, or in time, gringos. After approximately 150 years, the term is still used when Mexicans refer to Americans.

Of course, this is all a nice urban fable as there is documented evidence that word existed prior to the war. The word is believed to be derived from the root for Greek, and means one who speaks Spanish with an accent. There is still a Celtic connection as one theory holds that it was first used to describe the accent of the Irish who arrived in Spain during the Flight of the Earls.

 

[Senor Capper]

Not for sure about this ......

But when Americans were teaching the Mexicans about traffic signals
(way back when)
They were told anything ~green means go~
all else ~you stop~

Anyways from how I heard the story is
when they stop at a light they yell
"Green-Go" angrily until the light turns green.

Well the traffic signals didn't go over to swell in Mexico. Matter of fact they are hated emincely and that lead them to hate the Americans for introducing them to Mexico.


So now when a Mexican eyes an American he mumbles "Fricken Green-Go"

Take this with a grain of salt and ahh a lime too

[This message has been edited by Senor Capper (edited 04-16-2001).]

 

[Senor Capper]

Hola Amigos,
Actually I thought the word originated on the very first golf course in the U.S in Nogales Tx sometime in the 1800's.
Late at night a handful of Mexicans would sneak across the border and make thier way to the 19th green. (yes 19th)

There, they would cut the green with blades and roll it up. Then they would then take it across the border.
Eventually this spread throughout the U.S on every golf course.
Well as I believe the story goes, Jose Antonio Carlos Kockaroachay Ortega Federico Fernandez (Better known as Jackoff) stayed behind and over heard what the white-man" said........
Hey! Where'd the green go?

Needless to say Jackoff got a chuckle out of it and spread the word throughout his homeland.
So to this day wherever they see a white-man they call him Greengo (Gringo) and laugh hysterically amongst each other.

Now you also have learned why a golf course ends at the 18th hole.

Adios,
~~~Senor' Capper

[This message has been edited by Senor Capper (edited 04-16-2001).]

 

[Senor Capper]

Pep
We still friends ?

 

[pepin46]

lanny and all:

there is nothing i value more, other than my family, than friends, and it will take a whole lot more than a few words to break that, as i don't have any chips on my shoulders. of course, i know you were kidding with your friends question, you know me better than that. 19th hole? sure, why not?

jack

you really blew my mind with that celtic connection. i will look into it when i get a chance.

one more: the letter X, like in meXico, teXas, beXar county (originally pronounced like "behar" in texas, but now almost silent, like "bear", with just a touch of a little something between the "be" and "ar"). in spanish, it is meJico sound, etc.

when meXico was established there were only about 12 letters in the spanish alphabet. its origin seems as mysterious as what X represents, like X-Rays. it has been pronounced in many ways over the centuries, from "gs" to "ch", but for a long time, it also acquired the sound "j" in spanish, before the letter "j" was added and recognized as a separate sound, 2 or 3 centuries ago.

although the X remains unpractical in spanish, as the pronounciation is "j" in spanish or "h" in english, mexico has decided not to change it to "j" in order to keep its roots/identity, and texas, here in the states, is quite appropiate.

this is from memory, folks, it's all MOL.


pep

 

[Senor Capper]

Ahh
Pep my buddy,
You know me all too well. Although we have actually never met. 19 th hole ??
Well my favorite was the traffic signal!

Best to all
~~~Lanny

 

[bigjoe]

the traffic signal was funny