Foreign Phrase Of The Day(Spanish) El Chayote

Today's phrase is "El Chayote" which literly mean the chayote. Chayote is a squash like vegetable, but in this case it is used in Central American slang to imply a bribe. To to give one a chayote is to bribe them.

Foreign Phrase Of The Day(Arabic) Marhaba

Today's word is " Marhaba" . This is the word for "hello" in the Arabic world. It is pronounced pretty much how it is spelled with emphases on the H and a slight roll of the R. Marr-Haba

Foreign Phrase Of The Day(Farsi) Chetori

Chetori is the Persian way of asking : How are you?

Chetori?

Foreign Phrase Of The Day(Croatian) Sta Ima

Today's Foreign phrase is in Croatian. It is how you would say or ask: What's up?

Sta ima. Pernounced Shta Ima.

Foreign Phrase Of The Day(Spanish)

Today's foreign phrase is in Spanish.

Disparar: To shoot

No medispares. Don't shoot me.

This phrase can also be use to order something.

Disparame un trago. Buy be a drink.

As some of you may or may not know. My wife and I have been in the market for a new home. We have a good team working with us. Kevin and Naomi. The reason I bring it up is that Naomi is Japanese. What has that got to do with anything you ask. Well, my whole life I have been fascinated with language. Whenever I can learn a new word or phrase in a foreign language, I go for it. So every time Naomi is taking the time to show us properties, I ask her a word or phrase in Japanese.

The problem is that for most of us it is difficult to remember new words and phrases from unfamiliar languages. Sure with study and practice it can be done, but that is too time consuming. So I had the thought that instead of doing a quote of the day or a pic of the day as other bloggers do. I am going to do a foreign word or phrase of the day. Not that I would totally rule out the previously mentioned elements to this blog's format. I would not. I just wanted to spice it up a little and at the same time help myself reinforce those new words. And of course, to share the knowledge.

So look forward to new words and phrases coming our way.

Jive talkin'.

The "Riff Blog" lashes out at "Wiggers"


It's better. But just what is it with white folks and black slang? And how do y'all know when it's appropriate?

Why the sweeping generalizations about white people? Not all white people try to emulate black culture in speech or in other aspects. But for those that do, why cant they? Should I point out to the young black man in punk leathers and bleach blond hair that hes is taking from what belongs to white people's culture and that perhaps he should not use it. Or when I see black people at a NASCAR event, should I point out that this is traditionally "white people culture".



Also, I am a firm believer that language forms its self by incorporating words from a myriad of cultural influences. Black people don't talk the way their ancestors did nor do white folks. But really, aren't all the different words and uses of words really just colloquialisms? And, would it be inappropriate for an African American to have a chin wag. I mean really; when it comes down to it, we here in America share the same culture. I am not asserting that regional and ethnic differences do not exist. I am just saying that people can talk how they want and and if one choses to emulate people who sound like they are illiterate, so be it. Stupid is, stupid does!