May 29, 2018 BRUNCH
A meal between breakfast and lunch usually reserved for the weekend; the name combines both words: br-unch. The closest equivalent in Spanish would be almuerzo – a late breakfast. Although almuerzo translates also as lunch, in Mexico lunch is understood as either the main meal of the day between 2 and 3 pm (la comida) or a packed meal to eat at work or school (el “lonch”).
EXAMPLE
Entre semana, los niños comen el lonch en la escuela, pero los fines de semana nos gusta el almuerzo en casa con toda la familia.
On weekdays, the kids eat lunch at school, but on the weekends, we enjoy brunch at home, with the whole family.
Quote
“Brunch is not a trend, it’s a profit center” – Anthony Bourdain
“El “brunch” no es una moda, es un centro para ganar dinero” – Anthony Bourdain
May 22, 2018 GANGA
Spanish word for a bargain, a good deal. This is one of those words that might be misinterpreted if not known; an English speaker might think it means “gang”, but the Spanish word for gang is pandilla; an Icelandic person might think someone is walking, since that is the meaning of “ganga” in Icelandic, but in Spanish the word for “walking” is caminando.
EXAMPLE
If you buy a dozen eggs for 50 cents, that is a bargain.
Si compras una docena de huevos por 50 centavos, es una ganga.
Quote
“My heart is a bargain today. Will you take it?” – W.C. Fields, comedian
“Mi corazón es una ganga hoy. ¿Lo tomarás?” – W.C. Fields, comediante
May 14, 2018 VICTORIAN
This term describes anything related to the period when Queen Victoria was queen of Great Britain and Ireland (1837–1901). Although the political influence of European countries was in decline in the Americas, Queen Victoria was a trend setter for many social and cultural tendencies in the United States and Canada. Fashion, architecture and interior design have also distinct Victorian periods recognized around the world. In Spanish, the word is victoriano (feminine: victoriana), and this era is known as “La época victoriana.”
EXAMPLE
Queen Victoria was popular with the middle class, and her preferences quickly became fashion. The Industrial Revolution also allowed mass-production of the new Victorian furniture, clothing, and décor.
La reina Victoria fue muy popular con la clase media, y sus gustos se volvieron moda rápidamente. La Revolución Industrial también propició la producción en masa de muebles, ropa y decoración con el nuevo estilo victoriano.
Quote
“Upper-class Victorians feared an overabundance of passion, believing it only complicated matters and, more dangerously, led to thoughts of unrealistic liaisons between persons of unequal social stations.” ― Jerrold M. Packard, “Victoria’s Daughters”
“Los victorianos de clase alta temían una pasión excesiva, creyendo que solo complicaba las circunstancias y, más peligrosamente, conducía a pensamientos no realistas entre personas de diferente estatus social.” – Jerrold M. Packard, “Victoria’s Daughters”
May 7, 2018 ROBIN
The American robin was named after the European robin because of its reddish-orange breast, but the two birds are not close relatives. In Mexico, there are some subspecies related to the European robin, called petirrojo, or pinzón, and the American robin migration paths reach all the way to Mexico during the winter months.
EXAMPLE
Los petirrojos americanos se parecen a los de México, pero son mucho más grandes.
American robins look similar to the Mexican, but are much bigger.
Quote
“Los petirrojos (como les llaman los rancheros de la región) son pájaros que habitan aquí todo el año,…” http://www.noroeste.com.mx/pub/18026
“Petirrojos (as robins are called by ranchers around here) are birds that live around here all year round, …” – http://www.noroeste.com.mx/pub/18026
May 1, 2018 MAY
In reference to the fifth month of the calendar, May was named for the Greek Goddess Maia. In Spanish, this month is called Mayo.
EXAMPLE
El Día de las Madres se celebra en Marzo en la Gran Bretaña, pero en muchos países es en el mes de Mayo.
Mother’s Day is celebrated in March in Great Britain, but in many countries it is held in the month of May.
Quote:
“Conversely, the Roman poet Ovid provides a second etymology, in which he says that the month of May is named for the maiores, Latin for “elders,” and that the following month (June) is named for the iuniores, or “young people” (Fasti VI.88).” – Wikipedia.
“De otra forma, el poeta romano Ovid da una segunda etimología, en la cual dice que el mes de Mayo es llamado así por los maiores, “ancianos” en latín, y que el siguiente mes(Junio) se llama así por los juniores o “jóvenes” (Fasti VI.88).” – Wikipedia.
My Slice of Mexico 