WHY "Gringo"

Colombiche says on Aug 14, 2005, 21:55:

Because the mexicans Used to look at the US soldiers dressed in green and they wanted to tell the greens to go as in "green go!", in Spanish written as "gringo". I don't know if this is the truth, but I have heard this version. Other people might have different stories.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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Sylvie says on Aug 14, 2005, 21:57:

http://www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/2793


this thread answers your question.

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YTO SAN says on Aug 14, 2005, 22:11:

Gringo Origin Colombiche is right!!!!

I'm in part Mexican (from my dad) and the term GRINGO as colombiche said, was because when the big dispute in which US bought a big part of Mexico to which now we now as California, Arizona, Texas, etc... The US govt. send US Customs to guard the border while they put together the fence, this Officers were wearing green uniforms as of today is the color of the US Customs Uniform in the border stations. Mexican were yelling angry at them since they were taking their land and they use to yell GRINGOS HOME ( Green Go Home ) this is the oringin of the term "GRINGO"

YTO SAN

=======YTO SAN

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poco says on Aug 14, 2005, 22:33:

Green Grow - Try it - You'll never go back There is not a disbelieve about whether your father repeated the story as true, however, it does not make it any more true than the story I heard from my parents concerning Santa Claus.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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miamimike says on Aug 14, 2005, 22:35:

My ex-Wife from Mexico reiterated the same.. Green Go gringo just before we divorced...he he he

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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shirly1981 says on Aug 14, 2005, 23:03:

Good answers!!!! This is one of the few times that people answer a question without arguing jejejej This guy was afraid of that

I DO NOT want to start any arguments over this post, I AM JUST CURIOUS HOW THE TERM GOT STARTED.

» previous forum topic | next forum topic

Sophia

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Gator says on Aug 15, 2005, 05:51:

Best I have Heard. The true origin of gringo is most likely that it came from griego, the Spanish word for "Greek." In Spanish, as in English, something difficult or impossible to understand is referred to as being Greek: We say "It's Greek to me," just as in Spanish an incomprehensible person is said to "hablar en griego." (speak in Greek").

Here is Colombia "gringo"does not just refer to people from the United States. I have here English, French, et. al. referred to as "gringos." The world was in use long before the Mexican/American war.

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

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Miguel says on Aug 15, 2005, 09:10:

Gator Is correct.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 15, 2005, 09:19:

Gator and Miguel are correct:)
Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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ColombiaBoard says on Aug 15, 2005, 09:32:

Origins No, the previous three posters are wrong, colombians just call "gringo" anybody who looks white or foreign, if they see asians they won´t call them gringos. "Gringos" are white foreigners in general but people think they´re all US citizens.
The story about the "green go" is the correct one, I´ve seen it even in textbooks.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 15, 2005, 09:50:

tinto is correct. I'm truly sorry but there's too much evidence in favor of the "griego" theory that we'll have to forget the Mexican/American myth of the origins of the word "gringo". The "green-go" theory has been around for a long time, but has been discredited lately. I would've gladly given this one to the Mexicans but it's just another Iberian import.
Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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poco says on Aug 15, 2005, 10:04:

Gee,, TEXT BOOKS,, that sure makes it a fact I´ve seen it even in textbooks

Ahhhh,, Do you remember learning in school about the text books and “scientific” data published that stated the world is FLAT?

Did these same text books and data change the shape of the world?

Should one ignore the facts that NO source of this word has been determined other than a best case scenario? Are you asking people reading these words to completely ignore the preponderance of data on the net that this is,,, B.S.?

If the answer is still YES, YOU believe the word originated as a form of Anti-American sloganeering, then you should enjoy the “facts” presented on this site that expensive black cars, driven by the offspring of wealthy city dwellers are silently cruising the streets in search of downtrodden professors to kidnap and disappear.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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pappasito says on Aug 15, 2005, 10:12:

YTOSAN... Just to set the record straight...... Texas wasn't bought by the U.S. from Mexico... Texas fought for and won it's independence and was a country in it's own right for some time... before being admitted to the U.S. as a state... Many Texanos died for independence from Mexico,& Spain... Not wanting to argue, it's just that the Alamo is there for a reason...

Pappa

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Miguel says on Aug 15, 2005, 10:58:

Exacto Poco And how about the new catch phrase describing our ever shrinking world view and economy..."FLAT WORLD"

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Saltador says on Aug 15, 2005, 13:03:

Verify here: Gators explanation is right on the money...

http://www.wordorigins.org/wordorg.htm

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poco says on Aug 15, 2005, 13:55:

Entertainment at its best And how about the new catch phrase describing our ever shrinking world view and economy..."FLAT WORLD"

Intelligent Creation is my favorite. The intelligent portion only adding to the debate.

Both good analogies. One not as debatable as the other.

Another good source is Snopes

Thanks for the link on the “other” gringo thread. The entertaining part of reading the internet is discovering all the Urban Legends. Who would ever guess the quantity of “facts” being exchanged. Not to say there are NOT many informative posts worthy of further investigation. Yesterday I learned Colombia has car assembly plants. This was interesting and explains a lot about what I’ve seen. It may explain why Mercedes Diesel Buses sell for a pretty “good” deal as I understand.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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