Last week I learnt a lovely new word – huffkin – which is apparently a traditional type of bread roll from Kent in the southeast of England (see photo).
According to A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms, a huffkin, or hufkin, is “A kind of bun or light cake, which is cut open, buttered, and so eaten.” Such rolls were traditionally served at a hopkin, a supper for hop pickers.
Kent is an area of the UK I know quite well, as some of my relatives live there, and my dad grew there. However, I didn’t know anything about the local dialect, until now.
I couldn’t find any etymology for huffkin, but guess that the -kin part is a diminutive. It comes from the Middle Dutch -ken, and is used in words like catkin, bodkin, manikin, munchkin, pumpkin and napkin, and can also used with names – Jenkin(s), Simkin(s), Hopkin(s), Watkin(s) [source].
Other interesting Kentish dialect words I found include:
– joskin = a farm labourer (particularly a driver of horses, or carter’s mate), engaged to work the whole year round for one master
– galligaskins = trousers
– strooch = to drag the feet along the ground in wallking
– hopkin = supper for the work-people, after the hop-picking is over
– huffle = a merry meeting; a feast
Few people speak Kentish dialect anymore. You can hear a sample on the Survey of English Dialects, and on the video below:
The name Kent comes from the Old English Cent, from the Latin Cantium, from the Brythonic *Cantio. In Welsh it is Caint.
What’s the connecting between the words filibuster and freebooter?
The answer is, they both come from the same Dutch word vrijbuiter [ˈvrɛi̯bœy̯tər] (plunderer, robber), from vrij (free), buit (booty) and -er (agent suffix).
A freebooter as originally “an adventurer who pillages, plunders or wages ad-hoc war on other nations”, and apparently also means “one who rehosts online media without authorization”. It is a calque translation from Dutch, and was first recorded in English in the 1560s [source].
A filibuster originally meant “a mercenary soldier; specifically, a mercenary who travelled illegally in an organized group from the United States to a country in Central America or the Spanish West Indies in the mid-19th century seeking economic and political benefits through armed force”. Over time it also came to mean, “A tactic (such as giving long, often irrelevant speeches) employed to delay the proceedings of, or the making of a decision by, a legislative body, particularly the United States Senate”.
Filibuster was first recorded in English in the 1580s as flibutor. It was borrowed from the Spanish filibustero (pirate), from French flibustier (pirate), from the Dutch vrijbuiter.
Filibustering freebooters! sounds like the kind of curse Captain Haddock uses in the Tintin stories. He does in fact say Filibuster(s)! and Fancy-dress freebooter!, but not Filibustering freebooters!, as far as I can discover.
The French exclamation C’est inouï ! means “It’s incredible!”.
The word inouï [inwi] means unprecedented, incredible, unheard-of, extraordinary, amazing. It is a combination of the negative prefix in- and ouï, which comes from ouïr (to hear, to listen), from the Old French oir (to hear, listen), from Latin audiō (I hear, listen, pay attention), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ew-is-d-, a compound of *h₂ewis (clearly, manifestly) and *dʰh₁-ye/o- (to render) [source].
A friend told me last week that the TGV (le train à grande vitesse), France’s high-speed rail service, is being rebranded the inOui. In fact, inOui is the new name, introduced in 2017, for certain premium services on the TGV. All premium services will be known as inOUi by 2020. The name Ouigo was introduced for discount TGV services in 2013 [source].
The name inOui has been mocked and criticised by many.
Ouigo works in English as well (We go), but I’m sure English speakers will be joking about inOui, if they aren’t already.
Last night at the French conversation group one of the things we talked about was collective nouns or les noms collectifs.
There are plenty of these in English, like a flamboyance of flamingoes, a charm of goldfinches, a kindle of kittens, a cartload of monkeys, and so on.
We couldn’t think of many in French, so I thought I’d investigate. Here’s what I found:
– un amas de bois = a heap of wood
– un banc de poissons = a shoal of fish
– un banc de baleines = a school/pod of whales
– une bande de copains = a group of friends
– une bande d’idiots = a bunch of idiots
– une brassée de roses = an armful of roses
– un ensemble de dents = a set of teeth
– un essaim d’abeilles = a swarm of bees
– un essaim de beautés = a bevy of beauties
– une horde de lions = a pride of lions
– une horde de barbares = a horde of barbarians
– une meute de chiens = a pack of dogs
– une troupe/horde de babouins = a troop of baboons
– un troupeau de vaches = a herd of cows
– un troupeau de mouton = a flock of sheep
– une volée d’oiseaux = a flock of birds
I’m sure there are more. What about in other languages?
By the way, are there collective nouns for linguists and polyglots? Maybe babble or Babel.
sráid [sˠɾˠɑːdʲ] = street; level (surfaced) ground around house; village. From the Old Irish sráit (street, road, path, way), from the Old Norse stræti (street), from Late Latin strāta (a paved road).
Related words in other Celtic languages:
– sràid [sdraːdʲ] = street (Scottish Gaelic)
– straid = street; farmyard; thoroughfare (Manx)
– stryd [striːd] = street (Welsh)
– stret [strɛ:t] = street (Cornish)
– straed = alley, lane (Breton)
Incidentally, the English word road comes from the Middle English rode/rade, from the Old English rād (riding, hostile incursion), from the Proto-Germanic *raidō (a ride), from the Proto-Indo-European *reydʰ- (to ride).
– Is deacair ceann críonna a chur ar cholainn óg = You can’t put an old head on young shoulders
– Is deacair a bheith suas leis = He is a very tricky person to deal with
– Is doiligh ciall a bhaint as = It is hard to make sense of it
– Is doiligh corrán maith a fháil do dhrochbhuanaí = A bad workman quarrels with his tools (It is hard to get a good sickle from a bad reaper)
– Ceist chrua = A difficult question
– Fadhb chrua le réiteach = A difficult problem to solve
– Bhí saol crua aici = She had a hard life
– Tá mé ag staidéar go dian = I am studying hard
– Tá tú mós dian air, = You are a bit too hard on him
– Obair dhuaisiúil = Tedious, wearing, work
– Aistear duaisiúil = Weary/wearying journey
– Scéal casta = Complicated story
= Ceist chasta = Knotty question
If not, you are missing out on one of the best kept secrets in Latin America. It is a country filled with life, lots of culture, and great food to eat!
It’s the place that I have called home for the past 4 months and the country that my wife Andrea grew up in. She has given me some inside information and provided me with some fun Colombian slang words to show you.
We based this article off a YouTube video that we produced featuring actual Colombians speaking the 10 Colombian Slang Expressions. If you want to hear these phrases spoken by actual Colombians than check out the video.
10 Popular Colombian Slang Expressions
1) Quiubo
It’s like saying, “What’s up” in English. Or another way of saying it is, “How’s it going?”
It’s a very common phrase used among family, friends, and co-workers. Basically, it’s great in any informal setting. So don’t try this one on your serious Colombian boss.
Here’s an example in a normal Colombian dialogue:
A: Quiubo, ¿Que mas?
B: Bien, gracias a Dios.
Translation:
A: Hows is going, what’s going on? B: Everything is good, thank the Lord.
2. ¡Que bacano! or ¡Tan bacano!
Both these phrases are extremely popular in Colombia.
It’s the equivalent of saying, “That’s awesome” or “that’s great.” If you think something is really awesome make sure to say, “¡Que bacano!”
Here are a couple examples in daily conversation:
A: Compre un nuevo celular——–B: ¡Que bacano!
A: Si, mi mama me dio la plata—–B: ¿Enserio? ¡Tan bacano!
Translation:
A: I just bought a new cell phone. B: That’s awesome!
A: My mom just gave me money. B: Really? That’s great!
3. Que Pereza
Here’s another one that I hear all the time in Colombia. It essentially means, “What a pain.”
You can also use it if something is really boring. So next time you have a boring project at work or one you really don’t want to do, take a look over at your co-worker and say, “¡Que pereza!”
A: I have to study calculus. ———-B: Really? That’s so boring!
4. Hacer Una Vaca
Are you about to watch a sports game with friends and you need people to chip in for pizza?
It’s time to “hacer una vaca.” This one is only used in the plural form though.
For instance: “Hagamos una vaca” or “Por qué no hacemos una vaca” means “Let’s all put money together for…”
Let’s take a look at this phrase in action:
A: ¡Tengo mucha sed!——B: Hagamos una vaca para la gaseosa.
Translation:
I’m so thirsty. Let’s chip in to buy a soda.
5. Que Boleta
This phrase means, “That’s not fair!” or “That’s not nice!”
Basically, you can use this phrase when you are in a bad situation or something bad happened when someone treated you poorly.
My Colombian wife uses this one a lot whenever I do something she doesn’t like or is upset about.
Here’s an example:
A: Juan no tiene trabajo, su jefe lo despidió.
B: ¿Enserio? ¡Que boleta!, Él es un muy buen trabajador.
Translation:
A: Juan doesn’t have a job because his boss fired him. B: Really? That’s terrible, he is a great worker.
6. Por Si Las Moscas
This is one I am trying to use more and more. It means, “Just in case.”
It’s very common in Colombia where I live. If you think it is going to rain, you could make sure to bring an umbrella, “Por si las moscas.”
Here’s an example from a dialogue:
A: Piensas que debo traer repelente?
B: Si, tráelo por si las moscas, quizás hay muchos mosquitos.
Translation:
A: Do you think I should bring insect repellant?
B: Yes, bring it just in case as there might be lots of mosquitos.
7. Parar Bolas
You can use this one to signify, “Pay attention!” A common conjugation for most Colombians here is “¡Páreme bolas!”
This signifies someone telling them to pay attention already. My wife uses this one a lot when she tells me to pay attention to what she has to say.
Here’s an example in conversation:
A: ¿Usted hizo la tarea?—–B:(no contesta nada)—–A: Oiga, páreme bolas!
Translation:
A: Did you do your homework? (no response) B: Hey, pay attention to me!
8. Dar Papaya
“Dar papaya” means to make yourself an easy target. You can say, “No de papaya” o “no hay que dar papaya” when you are telling someone to be careful around others.
Parents can use this one to tell their kids to be careful and not make themselves an easy target.Here’s an example in conversation:
Here’s a conversational example:
A: ¿Por qué utiliza el celular aquí? ¡Estamos en el centro, no de papaya!
Translation:
A: Why are you using your phone here. We are downtown, don’t make yourself an easy target [to get robbed]!
9. Que Embarrada o Embarrarla
Here’s another very common Colombian slang expression. I hear this one said all the time.
“Que embarrada” can be used when something bad happens and to express that you are sorry about it.
You can also say, “La embarre” (embarrarla) when you make an error.
Here’s and example in conversation:
A: la abuela de Alex murió——-B: ¿Si? ¡Qué embarrada!
A: La embarré en el examen, tuve 7 errores.
Translation:
A: Alex’s grandma passed away. B: Really? I’m so sorry to hear that!
A: I really screwed up on the test, I had 7 mistakes.
10. Mamar Gallo
We have now reached our 10th and final popular Colombian slang expression.
“Mamar gallo” means to “mess around” or to “joke around.” You can use this phrase to tell someone to stop messing around. I like this phrase a lot as I like to “Mamar gallo” at times.
Example in conversation:
A: ¡Deje de mamar gallo y limpie la habitación!
Translation:
Stop messing around and clean your room!
Other Colombian Slang Words to Learn (and sound like a native)
Here’s a few more Colombian phrases or words you can learn.
They are all quite common and will be universally understood by just about any Colombian and probably by most Latinos.
Try a few out on a Colombian friend or language partner.
Que oso = How embarrassing!
Tengo un filo = I am super hungry
Me estoy asando = It’s boiling hot in here
Tiene huevo = What nerves!
Que chevere = That’s great/ Cool
Que jartera = What a pain (as well)
Mentiras = I am joking!
Arruncharse = to cuddle
Camellar = trabajar
Wrapping It Up
As a quick reminder if you want to check out these Colombian Slang Expressions spoken by Colombian natives check out this short dramatic video.
Better yet, download Andrea’s cheat sheet and get the 1 page PDF with the important phrases and how to use them. It’s in both English and Spanish to help you learn something new.
I hope you have learned something new or a new phrase you can try out with a Colombian friend.
My recommendation is to travel to Colombia and use a couple of these phrases on locals. They would be happy to play along with your slang words and you will be sure to sound like a native.
Colombia is a fantastic place to visit with crystal clear beaches, tropical beaches, and happy people to meet. It’s nothing like the dangerous, drug-infested reports that are often portrayed in the government or media (although it does have dangerous parts).
Finally, whatever your reason is for learning Colombian expressions, my one hope is that you actually use them!
About the writer
Nate and his wife Podcast and teach Spanish to Intermediate and Advanced language learners over at SpanishlandSchool.com. He loves to travel (particularly in South America) and writes on his hikes at LiveOutdoorsy.com. If you have any Colombian questions please feel free to reach out!
I came across a new word on Instagram today – shelfie, a portmanteau of shelf and selfie meaning, according to Wiktionary, “a photograph of a bookshelf/bookcase taken by its owner and shared on social media.”
The context I saw the word was even more specific – language shelfies, i.e. a photo of a bookshelf containing language courses, dictionaries, and other language-related books.
So here are a few of my language shelfies:
This is a non-language shelfie. Can you guess who my favourite author is?
You can see larger versions of these shelfies on Flickr.
Are there equivalents of selfie or shelfie in other languages?
One thing I’ve learnt from it, is that there are quite a few words in Scottish Gaelic related to hills and mountains:
Beinn [beiɲ / beɲə] = mountain, mount; high hill, pinnacle; head, top, high place. It comes from the Old Irish benn (peak, point, pinnacle), from the Proto-Celtic *benno- (peak, top).
Sgurr [sguːrˠ / sgurˠə] = high pointed hill, peak; cliff, craig.
Stob [sdɔb] = point, pinnacle; stake; pointed iron stick; prickle, thorn; stump; sharp-pointed stick; to prick, prod.
Meall [mjaul̪ˠ / mjal̪ˠəɣ] = mound, round hill; pile, heap; lump, clot, mass; (rain) shower; bout. It comes from the Old Irish mell (a ball, sphere, round mass; a round protuberance, swelling).
Stùc [stuːxg] = little hill jutting out from a greater, steep on one side and rounded on the other; cliff; pinnacle of a roof; horn; scowl; rock; lump; conical steep rock; precipice.
Stòr [sdɔːr] = steep, high cliff; broken or decayed tooth.
Cnoc /krɔ̃xg/ = hill: small hill, hillock, knoll; chilblain. It comes from the the Old Irish cnocc (hill, lump, stump), from Proto-Celtic *knokkos (hill).
Cruachan [kruəxan] = conical hill; hip.
Mam [maum] = rounded hill/mountain; mountain gap/pass; boil; bulge.
Cnap [krãhb] = small lumpy hill; knob, lump, protrusion; block; boss, node; swelling; button; potato; gust of wind; thump, thud. It is a borrowing from the Old Norse knappr (knob, stud, button), or the Old English cnæp (top of a hill, button, brooch).
Binnean [biɲan] = high conical hill; apex, high point; pinnacle.
Cruachag [kruəxag] small round hill; small pile/stack; small clamp (stack).
Dùnan [duːnan] = small hill; small fortress; dunghill; midden.
Torr [tɔːrˠ] = hill, mountain of an abrupt or conical form, lofty hill; Eminence; mound, large heap.
Monadh [mɔnəɣ] = mountain (covered with moors); high-lying moorland; expanse of heather.
Sliabh [ʃʎiəv] = hillside, slope; mountain. It comes from the Old Irish slíab (mountain, mountain range, moor), from the Proto-Celtic *slēbos (mountain).
Note: not all these words feature in Uncommon Ground.
Some of these words appear mainly in place names, and may be used in songs and poems, but are not used in everyday Gaelic.
A jiffy is very short, unspecified length of time. For example, “I’ll be back in a jiffy”.
It can refer to more precise units of time, and was first defined by Gilbert Newton Lewis (1875–1946) as the time it takes light to travel one centimeter in a vacuum (about 33.3564 picoseconds). Other definitions are available.
Jiffy [ˈd͡ʒɪ.fi] was first recorded in English in 1785 and its origin is uncertain. One possibity is that it was Thieves’ Cant for lightning. It used to be written giffy, and may be related to gliff (a transient glance; an unexpected view of something that startles one; a sudden fear) [source].
Jiffy is also a brand of padded envelope and other packaging, so you could, if you were so inclined, send someone something in a jiffy (bag/envelope) in a jiffy.
Other expressions that indicate that something will happen very soon include:
– at once
– now
– right now
– straight away
– immediately
– in an instant
– instantly
– in a minute
– in a moment
– in a second
– in a trice
– in a mo
– in a sec
– in a tic
– in a heartbeat
– as quick as a flash
– in a second / in a sec
– in two shakes of a lamb’s tail
– in the blink of an eye
– before you know it
Welsh equivalents include:
– ar unwaith (at once)
– yn syth (immediately)
– ar y gair (on the word)
– yn y fan (in the place)
– yn ddi-oed (without delay)
– mewn chwinciad (in a wink)
The length of time indicated by these expressions can vary considerably. When some people say they will do something staight away, they really mean it. Others might mean that they will do it at some time in the future, maybe, if they can be bothered, but don’t hold your breath.
When I’m asked to do something I don’t really want to do, I might say that I’ll do it when I have a spare moment (or two), or if I can find the time. This might mean that I will actually do it, or that I won’t.
Do you know/use other expressions, in English or other languages, for short lengths of time?
When asked to do something you would rather not do, how would you politely decline?
This post was inspired by a reference to Jiffy Pop, a brand of popcorn, in a novel I’m reading at the moment, The Art of Disappearing, by Ivy Pochoda. I had to look it up.
