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Examples

  • When Nikita Khrushchev backed down, Mr. Castro ordered students to the streets to chant " Nikita, mariquita, lo que se da no se quita " " Nikita, weakling, don ' t give and then take away " .

    Fidel 2010

  • Abstaining from foul language placed me uncomfortably close to the line between macho and mariquita, and this invited all sorts of challenges to my budding masculinity.

    Waiting for Snow in Havana Carlos Eire 2003

  • Watching a tough guy beat up on some mariquita was not much fun.

    Waiting for Snow in Havana Carlos Eire 2003

  • Anyone uncomfortable with that in first grade was taunted as a mariquita, or sissy.

    Waiting for Snow in Havana Carlos Eire 2003

Comments

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  • Castilian Spanish word for ladybug (known as 'ladybird' in the English-speaking world outside of North America). It is also a mildly offensive term for gay men. In certain contexts it can be meant affectionately.

    In Catalonia, they are known as 'marietes' or 'poriols,' while in Galicia they are called 'xoaniñas' as well as 'maruxiñas' and 'reirreis.'

    Anyone know the Basque term?

    March 3, 2009

  • Brilliant! I need a whole listed devoted to ladybirds. Also butterflies.

    March 3, 2009

  • Butterfly? Is that an Aussieism? Here in Mer'ca we calls 'em 'Lardwasps.'

    On another note, the word for the 'monarch butterfly' has an almost invariably equivalent meaning across the board in European languages. Some examples:

    Portuguese - Barboleta-monarca

    Spanish - Mariposa monarca

    Czech - Monarcha stěhovavý

    Dutch - Monarchvlinder

    German - Monarchfalter

    Italian - Monarca

    Polish - Monarcha

    Hungarian - Pompás királylepke (the latter word meaning 'monarch')

    Finnish - Monarkkiperhonen

    Swedish - Monark

    Romanian - Fluture Monarh

    Danish - Monark

    and so on.

    March 3, 2009

  • If you live in Mer'ca, does that make you a merkin?

    ¡Ka-ching!

    March 3, 2009

  • CODE NAME: Harry A. Merkin.

    Mostly, I busted up prostitution rings. Ah, another life. *sigh*

    In related merkin news -- and in an attempt to remain true to this list -- the Spanish have separate words for head lice (piojos) and pubic lice (ladillas). Do lice count as fauna?

    Should I be worried that most of the discussions I've participated in today have quickly devolved into talk of bodily functions and afflictions?

    March 3, 2009

  • The Liceman Cometh. Fear not, there're all manner of lowbrow afflictions here on Wordie, you're in fine company.

    March 3, 2009

  • Lice R !

    March 3, 2009

  • Nycanthro, for your first question, Yes. For your second, No. :)

    March 3, 2009

  • Ah yes, Nycanthro. You're fitting alarmingly well here. ;-)

    March 3, 2009

  • A fine drink, it is, indeed! Give me another, bartender..

    March 3, 2009