Etymology: GRINGO

la recta final.... says on Dec 21, 2005, 05:58:

GREEN GO! i heard that the term "gringo" comes from "Green go!".
i was told a few years back in Nicaragua by a post-Sandanista guerillero in a short story, my spanish wasn´t great at the time, but from what i could understand was that it was during some sort of invasion (nowadays "liberation") that involved foriegn soldiers in green uniforms, and that the indeginous people would shout "Green go!" hence gringo.
has anyone else heard of this???

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fugdis says on Dec 23, 2005, 15:39:

grin its definately a name for americans.you say something bad about the U.S.A to an american and watch his happy grin go.

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rocinante says on Dec 23, 2005, 15:46:

Many Didn't read all of this 100 percent but according to Colombianos, if you're not from South America, Asia/Orient or India you are considered a gringo. Italians, Germans, Russians, Canadians....

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 23, 2005, 20:07:

Question for gringos But I have a question. Do you guys fell that the term is derogatory? Or has it become in any way derogatory? I know some gringos who don't like it, but to be honest, when I use the term I never ever mean it to be derogatory, its just like a nickname. But with all the craziness about being PC I always wonder. ( Not that I'm interested n being PC really.. it's too boring):):)

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rocinante says on Dec 23, 2005, 20:47:

Europeans, North Americans, Australians.... are all gringos in the eyes of the Colombians. Ask someone who takes cold showers in Colombia. That would be over 80% of the Colombian population. Of course if you've visited Colombia once or twice you're entitled to your guess.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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ElPadrino1 says on Dec 23, 2005, 20:53:

I wouldn't take it as an insult anymore then a Latin Person would if they were referred to as a Spic or Mojado. If they would not object to being tagged with a Nic like this, then by all means use the Gringo term. If not, refer to the person as Northamerican. Many take insult at this term and definetely an Educated person would not find this term in their vocabulary.

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 23, 2005, 21:08:

Here is the problem with the word "gringo". It may be meant harmlessly when a Colombian says it but this is not its only use. Mexicans use it and when they use it they use it as an epithet. No Mexican would call a Northamerican a gringo without malice. It just is not used that way. Sometimes I jokingly use the term to describe myself and any Mexicans present visibly cringe when I say it.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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ElPadrino1 says on Dec 23, 2005, 22:13:

The Term Gringo is found someone's Vocabulary who is UNEDUCATED and Racist. In Mexico, Panama, Colombia I have never heard an educated person refer to a Northamerican as a Gringo or at least not in their presence. No more then someone(w/education) in the USA would refer to a Black as a N*GGER or some Latin as a Spic. This type of lingo demonstrates a lack of Education and Class but we all know our cultural shortcomings.

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 23, 2005, 23:08:

I grew up hearing the term referring to Americans and never as an insult. It doesn't have the same context of Nigger and its historical weight. I had never heard the term spic or mojado, but it sure doesn't sound friendly. Nonetheless I was asking the question because it seems to me that the spanish origin of the word is very appropiate and not at all derogatory...

I get what you say UC. There is very weird relationship between Americans and Mexicans and they might mean it differently.

As for the generalizations El padrino makes... they are offensive and demonstrate a narrow mind, as generalizations always do. A simple answer like: Yes the term gringo is not PC would have been enough.
Thank god I dont live in the States!!!!

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 23, 2005, 23:10:

Thank god I dont live in the States and I can say Gringo whenever I want. (Plus my goverment is not wire tapping my phones)

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Dec 24, 2005, 03:26:

ElPadrino you're mistaken, badly. The term "gringo" is a broad generalization for almost all foreigners in Colombia, used widely by all social classes and educational levels, but it is slang. The correct word for you is "estadounidense" in Spanish. Gringo is NOT derogatory unless it is used in a derogatory context, preferably preceded by the demonstrative "este" like in "este gringo". "Este/esta/esto used as a qualifier before a noun indicating a person makes almost any term referring to a person derogatory.

"Gringo" is vernacular for "estadounidense" and is used in all circles in Colombia but especially it's preferred by people like myself that acknowledge the right of any South and Central American to the gentilicio "americano". It's a political statement. No offense is intended by it. To compare it with "spik" or "mojado" is ludicrous.

I'm often called "gringa" in Colombia and take no offense. I'd never, ever call a latino immigrant spik or mojado or whatever racist and derogatory expressions are used by ignorant and narrow-minded people.

"Independencia" grita
El mundo americano:
Se baña en sangre de héroes
La tierra de Colón.
Pero este gran principio: "el rey no es soberano"
Resuena, Y los que sufren
Bendicen su pasión."

The second verse in the Colombian National Anthem sets a precedent to this concept of the Americas being one: The American World". Obviously the meaning is not limited only to the United States of America.

Merry Christmas to all americanos, north, south and central.
Merry Christmas to all!

Cheers,
Desi




http://rr.mediaibox.com.br/asx/cadenabasica.asx




Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone
else's life.

-Kobi Yamada

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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rocinante says on Dec 24, 2005, 05:07:

gringo Desi writes:"The term 'gringo' is a broad generalization for almost all foreigners in Colombia,..."

And there's no discrimination between the types either - Canadians, Germans, Italians - all are 'gringos'. As with any word a great deal of meaning depends on the context. Like you say it all depends on the context of the conversation and the relationship of the participants. In Colombia 'gringo' is not as derogatory as spic/nigger/cracker is in the States.

If you are traveling outside your home in an area or even in your home area, if you are unsure about a word exercise caution, or risk offending or even worse - flaunting ignorance.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Gator says on Dec 24, 2005, 05:55:

Once Again... Desi peels away the curtain of darkness with her rapier-like pen.

"(Thank god I dont live in the States!!!!)"
I'm sure most people who live in the States are thankful also.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 24, 2005, 07:55:

Not only in Colombia dude
In the whole of latin america and its no only used for americans but for every foreigner who doesnt speak spanish. Sorry If you ghavent been anywhere else in latin america dude
your loss

As for desi you are right I agree 100%.

Gator... fortunately I can travel there whenever I want.. dont have to beg for permission or find a gringo to get married to.Its My choice not to live there. Not the americans choice. But I can go whenever and criticize as much as I want.
same as you guys do with colombia

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ElPadrino1 says on Dec 24, 2005, 10:15:

as I posted, we all know our Cultural and Educational Shortcomings,so don't be offended when someone refers to your nationality in an unflattering manner. Like I posted, if you, as latin, aren't offended when someone refers to someone(or yourself) in your Nationality as a "Spic", "wetback" or "Mujado" by all means use the terminology, just don't take offense when this word pops up in reference to you . Personally its not in my Vocabualry nor is it in the Vocabulary of latins I associate with. "Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres" To say all Northamericans are not insulted being tagged Gringo is making a Generalization, whether in Mexico, Colombia or China. Many feel insulted as many Colombians would feel insulted(and rightly so) if they were referred to as a "Spic" I guess the message is , never assume you know what the other person feels as you may be mistaken. In my Nationality, Italian, we would feel very offended if someone referred to us as a "Wap" and many Italians on the street would have the fists up in your face and I consider Gringo having the same cononotation as Wap but then I never assume I know how someone else feels when as far as how they should be referred to. Nice to hear others opinions on this subject and I while I may not agree with you on ths, I respect your opinions(we are all entitled to one) *******L. Rojas-How do you know I live in the USA?***** I never posted where I live? See there you go generalizing and assuming and you very well may be wrong.....You know what they say about the word assume...Ass/U/Me.... Feliz Navidad

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 24, 2005, 11:51:

When a Colombian says it, I don't take it as an insult at all. It's like calling "Gordo" gordo, hell I don't even know what his real name is any more. OTOH, when a Mexican says it, it is definitely an insult.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Gator says on Dec 24, 2005, 12:06:

How do you know?? "(Plus my goverment is not wire tapping my phones)"

¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿"Gator... fortunately I can travel there whenever I want.. dont have to beg for permission or find a gringo to get married to.Its My choice not to live there. Not the americans choice. But I can go whenever and criticize as much as I want."????????

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 25, 2005, 00:48:

THIS FORUM HAS BECOME DISGUSTING. FIRST THAT IDIOT MARIO ATTACKS ME THROUGH PMS FOR SOMETHING I SAID MONTHS AGO ALL OF A SUDDEN AND THEN HE GETS ANGRY BECAUSE I ANSWER BACK. MARIO THIS CONVERSATION WASNT WITH YOU.SAPO

AND THEN WHEN I ASK AN INNOCENT QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THE TERM GRINGO IS DEROGATORY, GATOR INSULTS ME, CALLS ME SPIC OR WHATEVER, AND INSULTS MY EDUCATION. ASSUMPTIONS?? YES BUT THEN HIS DEFENSE IS THAT I AM MAKING ASSUMPTIONS. WHAT AN IDIOT! AND IF YOU LIVE IN COLOMBIA YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THE TERM GRINGO HERE IS NOT DEROGATORY UNLESS ITS ACCOMPANIED BY ANOTHER WORD, LIKE GRINGO HP. OH AND THE REFERENCE TO WIRE TAPS ( IF YOU DO WATCH ANY NEWS) HAS TO DO WITH THE CIVIL RIGHT VIOLATION DISSCUSSIONS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE STATES AT THE MOMENT. THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE ON THIS POST SHOWS THAT THE TERM GRINGO IS OLDER THAN THE STATES ITSELF, ON THE OTHER HAND THE TERMS SPIC AND MOJADO ARE JUST COMEBACKS YOU GUYS INVENTED WHEN YOU REALIZED THAT MEXICANS HATED YOU AND WHERE INSULTING YOU WITH IT. CALLING ME A SPIC BETWEEN THE LINES WAS AN ATTACK ON AN INNOCENT QUESTION. OH AND LASTLY, REWRITING MY MESSAGE DOESN'T TELL ME ANYTHING.


YOU ARE ALL PATRONIZING WHEN TALKING TO COLOMBIANS WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST IGNORANT TRAITS THAT YOU HAVE. THAT WAY OF ALWAYS BEING PATRONIZING, ASSUMING YOU ARE ALWAYS IN THE RIGHT AND THE REST OF THE WORLD (SPECIALLY THE "UNDERDEVELOPED" PORTION)IS ALWAYS IN THE WRONG. I HAVE NOTICED MANY OF YOU DO IT UNCONSCIOUSLY, BUT IN GENERAL MOST OF YOU TEND TO DO IT AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. THANK GOD IM GOING ON WONDERFUL HOLIDAY THIS WEEK AND I WILL BE TAKING A BREAK FROM THIS FORUM AND THE BITTERNESS AND NASTINESS IT HAS BEEN INITIATING. IT WAS FUN AT THE BEGINNING AND I WAS HAPPY TO HELP WITH INFORMATION ABOUT COLOMBIA AND JUST HAVING GENERAL FUN DISCUSSIONS. BUT BEING ATTACKED BY SOME GUY INSISTING THAT PIZZA DOESNT EXIST IN COLOMBIA IS JUST RIDICULOUS. THIS GUY ACTUALLY GOT OFFENDED BECAUSE ME, A COLOMBIAN, SAID THAT WE DO HAVE GOOD PIZZA AND THAT HE DIDNT HAVE A CLUE ABOUT COLOMBIA IF HE INSISTED THAT THERE WASNT ANY GOOD PIZZA HERE. WHAT A SENSITIVE ITALIAN FIORELLINO. OH AND HE INSULTED ME IN ITALIAN, TRYING TO SHOW HIS SUPERIORITY IN ITALIAN KNOWLEDGE, NOT EXPECTING ITALIAN TO BE ONE OF THE FIVE LANGUAGES I SPEAK PERFECTLY. PIZZA! ? WHAT A STUPID THING TO GET OFFENDED FOR. WHAT A WASTE OF TIME.

THERE ARE SOME REALLY COOL PEOPLE HERE AND I HAVE MET MANY IN PERSON AND IT HAS BEEN GREAT. BUT IT ONLY TAKES A FEW TO RUIN THE FUN. SEEMS LIKE A LITTLE HOLIDAY FROM PBH IS WHAT I WANT. TO MANY GOOD, NICE THINGS GOING ON IN REAL LIFE TO BE WASTING MY TIME WITH THIS NASTINESS.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!! I WILL BE BACK WITH A TAN, NEW DRUMS, AND LOADS OF GOOD VIBES FOR THOSE WILLING TO RECEIVE THEM!!!!

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 25, 2005, 01:08:

OH, BTW, The fight with the italian fiorellino actually got pretty nasty on both sides, something I'm not proud of. But I had already forgotten it. It thought the civil thing was not to direct any post at him or talk to him anymore to avoid pushing his buttons and viceversa... but he is just nasty and completely intolerant and pushing my buttons, as his comment above shows. Lo cortes no quita lo valiente.

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ElPadrino1 says on Dec 25, 2005, 01:30:

Lucia Rojas----Please read what I wrote.. I said three words Spic, mujado, NiG*er were not in my Vocabulary, I cannot vouch for others. Now as far as the Term Gringo, I have attended many formal and Informal types of meetings in Colombia, Panama and with the people I associate with, never once was a Northamerican tagged with the nomer "Gringo". I was at New Years Eve Celebration earlier attended by Latins from 5 different countries and NOT once were the Northamericans tagged Gringo. So it really is a misnomer to say the term Gringo is used so freely because it isn't, at least in circle of my associates. All I have to say about it and again, I wish you Feliz Navidad and Prospero A~o Nuevo. Sincerely....

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rocinante says on Dec 25, 2005, 05:35:

dude, don't call me dude El Padrino1 -“ it really is a misnomer to say the term Gringo is used so freely because it isn't, at least in circle of my associates� and ElPadrino, my circle of associates here in the US doesn't use the term "dude". In the work force, or while attending "many formal and Informal types of meetings" or any other social situation where I'm not with my friends. “Dude� is just not used in the workforce nor will you hear it on the 10:00 News.

However dude is a common slang word here in the US since the 70’s. For one to argue that its frequency of use or acceptance should be based on a few work associate is ludicrous.

For example, to have someone who lives in France tell me that “dude� is not a socially acceptable term or that it is never used here in the US because they’ve been to a few business meetings here in the US, or have a wife they relocated from Connecticut to Paris is a joke. Obviously they don’t live here, watch TV here or have never been to the west coast in the past 30 years!

But what’s even more ludicrous is the deaf ears of the know it all posters on this forum. You have people who live there, in South America, in Colombia, who are fully immersed in the culture telling you something, but you know better – all because you have a associates or have a wife who is Colombian.

I am not comparing the term dude to the term gringo - only drawing a parallel as to it's frequency of use and social acceptance.

ElPadrino, It’s fine that your circle of people in CO or whoever you know from South America are really proper and would never say “Hey, dude, what’s up?� but lets look at the big picture of the culture in question.

Also I don’t mean to attack ElPadrino but some posters, not you, have a tendency to really flaunt their ignorance. And I’m not talking about pizza.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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rocinante says on Dec 25, 2005, 06:00:

Fries with that wife, caballero? The guys on this forum who are patronizing to Colombians are the mail order bride guys who are married to the women who would have married the next gringo that came along. Good thing the internet was up that first day. I remember one poster here talking about how he went to a dating website, paid for 25 names and would up marrying the first name on the list – not even calling on number 2 as it was not necessary. You have to question your manhood when these are the makings of your home life.

I know I'm being really harsh here but I cannot accept that the arrogance and ignorance displayed here are totally representative of my country. There has to be another reason why you people are even on this forum in the first place and acting the way that you are. Maybe there is a void or something inside these guys that creates negativity towards Colombia or people who post about Colombia? Maybe since they aren't Colombian and are married to one they feel better posting falsehoods or challenging anyone who posts something that they don’t agree with as a way of displaying their superiority with things Colombian? Maybe this is an ego thing? Maybe they feel the need to be on this site as their connection to Colombia? I’m totally speculating here.

The worst cas scenario is that maybe they really are just arrogant people, my US fellows who are posting here. Mario used the term Napoleon complex a few weeks ago to describe a poster here and I think maybe he was on to something. I’d like to think that all the arrogant American posters here have something else bothering them and that this is not representative of all of us, so that is why I’m speculating.

It's really tough to watch my fellow Americans represent our country in such a way that makes us look bad in the process and causes a negative picture of Americans - and God knows we could use less of that.

OK, now I'm going to Mickey Ds for the best fries on the planet. My grandfatcher back in the old country was a direct relative of Ronald McDonald so I know the hell outta fries. I grew up with fries and if you try to tell me that there are good McDonalds fries in your neighborhood poo poo on you. The fries in the Colombian McDonalds have no business being fries as they are a disgrace to potatoes. I have spoken, dude.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Gator says on Dec 25, 2005, 08:00:

LIER, LIER PANTS ARE ON FIRER!!!!!!!! "Desi peels away the curtain of darkness with her rapier-like pen.

'(Thank god I dont live in the States!!!!)'
I'm sure most people who live in the States are thankful also."

"Once Again...
Desi peels away the curtain of darkness with her rapier-like pen.

"(Thank god I dont live in the States!!!!)"
I'm sure most people who live in the States are thankful also."

Reviewing your post

A. I do NOT even see the word "Spic" much less call you one.
B. Never said the term "gringo"is derogatory.
C. Made no reference to your education.
1. Have you considered professional help?
2. Put a rubber band around your head and snap out of it.
3. Yo creo que tú no tiennes raæon. Ten cuidado no metas la pata.

¡¡EL QUE R�E ÚLTIMO R�E MEJOR!!

Have you considered professional help?
GATOR INSULTS ME, CALLS ME SPIC OR WHATEVER, AND INSULTS MY EDUCATION. ASSUMPTIONS?? YES BUT THEN HIS DEFENSE IS THAT I AM MAKING ASSUMPTIONS. WHAT AN IDIOT! AND IF YOU LIVE IN COLOMBIA YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THE TERM GRINGO HERE IS NOT DEROGATORY UNLESS ITS ACCOMPANIED BY ANOTHER WORD, LIKE GRINGO HP. OH AND THE REFERENCE TO WIRE TAPS ( IF YOU DO WATCH ANY NEWS) HAS TO DO WITH THE CIVIL RIGHT VIOLATION DISSCUSSIONS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE STATES AT THE MOMENT. THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE ON THIS POST SHOWS THAT THE TERM GRINGO IS OLDER THAN THE STATES ITSELF, ON THE OTHER HAND THE TERMS SPIC AND MOJADO ARE JUST COMEBACKS YOU GUYS INVENTED WHEN YOU REALIZED THAT MEXICANS HATED YOU AND WHERE INSULTING YOU WITH IT. CALLING ME A SPIC BETWEEN THE LINES WAS AN ATTACK ON AN INNOCENT QUESTION. OH AND LASTLY, REWRITING MY MESSAGE DOESN'T TELL ME ANYTHING.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 25, 2005, 08:37:

sorry Gator you are 100% right. It wasn't you who said anything about my education and all. We had just gotten home after X-mas, 5 in the morning and all tipsy. Came on to post a merry christmas message and found this.
Im sorry Gator... and dont worry i am very hapopy not to love in the states... I hope yopu dont come and live here either. / to answer what you said).. El padrino was the one who said it. Must be some kind of italian too.

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 25, 2005, 08:38:

sorry Gator you are 100% right. It wasn't you who said anything about my education and all. We had just gotten home after X-mas, 5 in the morning and all tipsy. Came on to post a merry christmas message and found this.
Im sorry Gator... and dont worry I am very hapopy not to live in the states... I hope you dont come and live here either. (to answer what you said).. El padrino was the one who said all thge stuff. Must be some kind of italian too.
"Lo cortes no quita lo valiente"

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 25, 2005, 08:42:

bye have a good new year people...I off to the airport. see you when we come back from paradise.

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 25, 2005, 08:47:

fiorellino dont you dare PM ever again either. and I didnt say: dont post on a public forum... I just said: SAPO. sorry the name calling makes you cry.

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 25, 2005, 08:56:

Sapo, salte aca.

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 25, 2005, 10:20:

If it's paradise why don't you stay the hell there? There is nothing like a bunch of ex-patriates babbling about what a paradise is the land they left. If I choose to live in Colombia, I would not spend all my time whining about Colombia's shortcomings and announcing what a paradise North America is. Seems slightly crazy to me.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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