Word of the day - papelear
papelear, verb = to rumage through papers; to make a splash, draw attention to oneself
This word caught my eye while I was looking through my Spanish dictionary today. Though I try to keep the amount paper I use in my home ‘office’ to a minimum, there always seems to be plenty of bits of papers to rumage through.
Related words
papel = paper
papelada = farce, pretence, charade
papelamen = papers, masses of papers
papeleo = paperwork, red tape
papelera = litter bin, wastepaper basket, desk, paper mill
papelería = stationery, stationer (shop), mass/sheaf/heap of papers
papelero = paper, stationer, paper manufacuturer, paper-boy, ridiculous person
papelonero = ridiculous
3 Responses to “Word of the day - papelear”
Minstrel Ayreon on 08 Jul 2006 at 1:01 am #
I find it interesting how “papel” is also associated with foolish people in addition to literal paper.
I wonder if the connection is an alternate definition of “papel” that I don’t see listed here–the idea of “role” as in, in a play. It would then be a great term for someone who puts on airs…
Simon on 08 Jul 2006 at 12:16 pm #
Papel has a number of other meanings, including part / role, e.g. hacer un papel = to play a part - hizo el papel de Cleopatra = she played the part of Cleopatra.
Jamison on 29 Sep 2006 at 2:17 am #
I’ve heard of papel mojado “wet paper” as meaning something worthless or of little value. Todo su esfuerzo resultó ser papel mojado”. All his effort turned out to be worthless.