Definition of Gringo

[Kent]

In regards to his defense of "gringo':
His "gringo" is offensive to many anglos and yet he will repudiate that.

In the Spanish-speaking world, there is no negative connotation associated with the word "gringo" itself, though it can be used in negative contexts. There's really no good way to say you're from here in Spanish. Americano doesn't describe just people from here. In the Spanish-speaking world, "America" is from Barrow, AK to Tierra del Fuego. So, if you say, "Soy americano," you may get a response of, "Yo tambien." "Estadounidense" is not only a mouthful, but it also doesn't describe us as Mexico is also referred to as "Los Estados Unidos" by many. "Gringo" is actually the most common and most descriptive term. I found myself using the word rather frequently to describe myself.

 

[zumahans]

And here in the English-speaking world, there is an established, defined negative connotation associated with the word "gringo" itself, though it can be used in positive contexts.

Check any dictionary.

 

[zumahans]

Context is defined as the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.

And if someone understands the term to be offensive, that is the understood context, no matter what the context is as intended by the speaker.

 

[OldGringo]

And here in the English-speaking world, there is an established, defined negative connotation associated with the word "gringo" itself, though it can be used in positive contexts.

Check any dictionary.

I have. While the dictionary mentions it's often disparaging, it, by no means, declares it to be a slur or always offensive. My point, more than anything, is that David identifies himself as being a "gringo." That's the only context in which I have seen him use the word. He sees no problem in it, nor did I when I visited Mexico and referred to myself as such. Given some of the things David has been called, I find it funny that some people get their boxers in a bunch when he refers to himself as a "gringo."

Hehehe.

What is even more amazing is that Klifhanger uses a genuine, 100% racial epithet about Puerto Ricans in defending his belief that "gringo" is offensive... and then defends it with references to a 1961 movie!

 

[klifhanger]

hehe ! David obviously once again has made a mistake,. The Movie was in 1960. A lot of minor miscues on his part adds up to a distorted picture. Not to mention it was also in the Book! Ain't it right "countryboy?"

 

[SuperRadioFan]

hehe ! David obviously once again has made a mistake,. The Movie was in 1960. A lot of minor miscues on his part adds up to a distorted picture. Not to mention it was also in the Book! Ain't it right "countryboy?"

You have to eat crow. It WAS 1961 by many accounts. Here's just one link but you can Google to see others.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Side_Story_(film)

 

[OldGringo]

hehe ! David obviously once again has made a mistake,. The Movie was in 1960. A lot of minor miscues on his part adds up to a distorted picture. Not to mention it was also in the Book! Ain't it right "countryboy?"

My movie gude says 1961. Whatever the year, the fact is that it was well before the "big years" of the civil rights movement when awarness of discrimination and stereotyping were recognized. The movie paints a nasty and untrue picture of Puerto Ricans in the US and of Puerto Rico itself.