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
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…
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.
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.