It's a word that many white Americans find derogatory. It's usually not though. It just means foreigner.
The word "gringo" has been in use before the U.S. existed as a country. It was officially documented in a Spanish (Spain) dictionary in the year 1787. It comes from the Spanish word "griego" or Greek. In English we have a similar term "It's Greek to me." It means someone is speaking unintelligibly. Eventually it was used to refer to foreigners.
In Brazil, for example, everyone who isn't Brazilian is a gringo. In Mexico it's generally a white American. Other countries it can be anyone who is a foreigner and is not Latin American.
So, if you are called a gringo (or gringa), my advice is.."tranquilo" Relax, it's not a big deal.
Then again if you are walking down a street and pass some sketchy guys huddled and hear whispers of "Gringo," then yeah, keep your head on a swivel.
Anyone have a story when they were called a gringo? Or a different origin for the term?
The word "gringo" has been in use before the U.S. existed as a country. It was officially documented in a Spanish (Spain) dictionary in the year 1787. It comes from the Spanish word "griego" or Greek. In English we have a similar term "It's Greek to me." It means someone is speaking unintelligibly. Eventually it was used to refer to foreigners.
In Brazil, for example, everyone who isn't Brazilian is a gringo. In Mexico it's generally a white American. Other countries it can be anyone who is a foreigner and is not Latin American.
So, if you are called a gringo (or gringa), my advice is.."tranquilo" Relax, it's not a big deal.
Then again if you are walking down a street and pass some sketchy guys huddled and hear whispers of "Gringo," then yeah, keep your head on a swivel.
Anyone have a story when they were called a gringo? Or a different origin for the term?
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