Yanito Dictionary

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C

CABEZA DEL NONO : Local vulgar form of saying Dick Head, originates from the Italian NIPOTE DEL NONNO meaning Grandson. NIPOTE could easily be confused with the Spanish CIPOTE for Dick, Prick, etc.

CACARRUCA : Corruption of the Spanish word PAPARRUTA, which means HUMBUG or "A LOAD OF CRAP!" CACA is the Spanish for SHIT and CAGARRUTAS are the droppings of animals (usually goats).

CACHI : DARSELAS POR CACHI, to give up, DARSELAS PORVENCIDO. Origin unknown.

CACHONFINGA : From the Spanish CACHONDEO, Popularly used to mean a good time. The FINGA is a bad translation of FINGER, which in Spanish is DEO.

CAGANA : Slang word meaning being drunk. Spanish BORRACHERA. Origin unknown. Could be a derivation from the Spanish CAGAR to SHIT, therefore "TO BE SHIT DRUNK!"

CAGONA : Slang word for a pound note. Origin unknown. Could derive from CAGAR to SHIT, Green being the general colour of a baby's excrement. Also called VERDOSA which means Green in Spanish, from the Green colour of the old pound notes.

CARAVELA : Should be CALAVERA which means SKULL. CARAVELA is a CARAVELLE/SHIR

CALENTITA :Local dish made with Chickpea flour. FARINATA in Italian.

CAMAMA : "Un tio CAMAMA" a good for nothing. Could be a derivative of SIN ESC AM AS, without scales; like on a fish;

CANADIEN : Should be CANADIENSE or Canadian.

CANBOI : Should be COWBOY or Vaquero.

CAÑONERA : Game played with flattened army brass buttons, tile object of the game being to see who could hole the largest amount of CANON ERAS from the greatest distance in one throw. It appears the bulk of the buttons used at the time were those of the R.A.O.G (Royal Army Ordinance Corps) and those of the Royal Artillery who were always present on the Rock, unlike the Resident Battalions which kept changing, frequently. R.A.O.C. buttons depict three cannons and those of the R.A. one, hence the word CANONERA from the Spanish CANON meaning cannon. This game is called LAS CHAPAS or EL HOYO in the Campo Area.

CAOL : Any metal polish is referred to as CAOL in Gibraltar, from the name of a very popular brand by the name of KAOL. SeeTERMO.

CAPONG : Word used to denote a knock on the head with clenched knuckles. Could derive from the expression KAPOW! Another local word used to denote the same thing is COSQUI.

CAPONG : Should be CAPO the Spanish for a car's bonnet.

CAPONG : Name given to a species of Scorpion fish sold locally.

CARAMALES : Should be CALAMARES, bad pronunciation of the Spanish for Squid.

CARCAMONI : Should be CALCOMANIA, bad pronunciation of the Spanish for Transfer, the kind of picture which has to be wetted before transferring onto a smooth surface. Children would also refer to little coloured printed stamps (Not to be contused with Postage Stamps) for which they would play for, or exchange to add to their collections.

CARETA DE GAS : Should be CARETA ANTIGAS, bad Spanish pronunciation for Gas Mask or MASCARILLA ANTI-GAS.

CARPETA : Should be PUPITRE for a School desk, or ESCRTTORIO for an office desk. The word CARPETA is the Spanish for Folder, File or Desktopper. The derivation most probably has come from "Dejemelo en mi CARPETA", i.e. "Leave it on my Desktopper." Hence calling the whole Desk a CARPETA.

CARSADORA :Should be CAZADORA, bad Spanish pronunciation for a Bomber
jacket. The correct CALZADORA or CALZADOR is the Spanish for
a Shoehorn.

CARTAPASIO : Refers to either, a strongly worded or very long letter. C ARTAPACIO is the Spanish for NOTE BOOK or SATCHEL, i.e. "Some letter!"

CASTANA PILONGA : Should be CASTANA PELONA, a superior quality Spanish Chestnut which is very easy to peel. An expression very much in use in the Campo Area to denote, something of quality. Could be of Andalucian origin.

CATAPASO : Could be CORTEPASO, a break in one's steps resulting in a fall.

CATERVA or CATELVA : Word used to denote a Horde of rowdy people. Origin unknown.

CAVALIN : Most probably from the Spanish CABALLIN or small horse. To ride A CAVALIN is to ride Piggyback. CABALGAR is to Ride.

CEBOLLON or CEBOLLIN : Being in a state of Inebriation, Drunk, slang for being Pissed. The proper Spanish word is BORRACHO. CEBOLLA is an Onion and CEBOLLIN is a Spring Onion.

CENISO : Should be CENIZO from CENIZA, Ashes. Used to denote a bad omen. "Hechar el CENIZO", to cast bad luck.

CERAPAI : Should be SERAPFTE a smooth finish wall plaster trade mark.

CHACHI : Could be of Andalucian origin for something Super. ESTUPENDO. Fantastic.

CHAFARIQUE : Slang for a woman's private parts. Origin unknown.

CHAKARAU : Should be CHUCKER-OUT, Bouncer. Un Gorila in Spain.

CHAN : Should be CHANCE, Spanish is also CHANCE. CHANCHO: CHANCHOS VIEJOS; Word used to denote old
junk, like old furniture. CHANCHO itself is another word for pig The word PORQUERIA, meaning Rubbish also from the Spanish PUERCO, Pork, i.e. Piggish.

CHAPEO : Corruption of the French for Hat. CHAPE AU.

CHAPU : Should be CHAPUZA, which is Spanish for a job, not actual employment which is EMPLEO. In Gibraltar CHAPU means both a job and employment

CHAQUE : UN ACHAQUE, meaning a Hunch, or Premonition. The Spanish is UNA CORAZONADA. See also PALPIT. Origin unknown.

CHARAVACA : "UN TIO CHARAVACA". An Idiot. Origin unknown.

CHARRANARSE : To become obsessed with someone or something. Origin ENCHARRANARSE: unknown. No idea what a bird has to do with an obsession.

CHASI : From the English CHASSIS and the Spanish CHASIS. uEstar en el CHASF. To be very thin; skeletal.

CHAVEA : Word used to describe a boy. Origin unknown, possibly Andalusian.

CHEKEAR : From the English to CHECK. The Spanish is COMPROBAR

CHiCHILAHAVA : Local boys game played between two teams, one team would bow down in a row leading off a wall, the other team jumping individually on top of the weakest, till the whole team was piled on top. A count of them would then be made by the team underneath, whilst those on top would try their oest to topple those below. If they were successful in breaking the link below, they could start anew, otherwise it became the other team's turn, If anyone on top were to touch the ground at any time, it would have been immediate disqualification. The cry of "CHICHILAHAVA Ml CABALLITO MANSO!" would be given whilst taking the run. "CHICHILAHAVA MY TAME LITTLE HORSE!" Origin unknown, but the game itself is not restricted to Gibraltar.

CHUSGA : Should be CHEWING GUM, the Spanish is CHICLE.

CHINGARSE :To be fooled, something backfiring. "Se ha CH1NGAO." Origin unknown.

CHINGLE : From the English SHINGLE, small pebbles. Spanish GUUARROS.

CHINGONGOS : Spanish nickname given to Gibraltarians. The CHINGONGOS are a tribe of African natives who live in a very close community.

CHISME : Word meaning gossip. Wrongly used to define old junk or objects.

CHISMITO : Slang for MONEY. The Spanish is DINERO. Origin unknown.

CHITERIA : From the English CHEATING. The Spanish is HACER TRAM PA. CHITERO/A, a CHEAT, TRAMPOSO/A.

CHOCHI or CHOCHY :Pet name for a little girl. From the Spanish vulgar CHOCHO a woman's privates.

CHOCLERA :Referring to bed. EN CHOCLERA to be snugly in bed. CAMA is Spanish for BED. Origin could be from the Spanish Gypsy Dialect.

CHONIO : Word used to define an unfair act Also used when something is poor in quality or past it's prime.

CHUAR : Word meaning to TOSS. The Spanish is ECHAR A CARA O CRUZ. Could originate from a bad pronunciation of CHOOSE but it falls more in favour of SURE.

CHUCHURRIO : Used to denote something that has withered, not necessarily a flower. The Spanish for WITHER is MARCHTTARSE. CHUCHURRIO is also used to define something sloppy.

CABOOSH : Name given to a hiding place or hide-out, also used for a place where old junk is stored like a Shed or Attic. Origin unknown, could be French.

CHUFLA : Name given to an idiot. The true meaning of this word is JOKE. In this case it is being wrongly used. It should be JOKER, JESTER or PAYASO, BUFON.

CHUNI : Used to denote something cute, like a little puppy. In Spanish one would say QUE MONADA or QUE MONERIA. Nothing to do with Monkeys. Origin unknown.

CHUPA : Should be CHUPETE, which is Spanish for a baby's Dummy.

CHUPETON : Common name for a Love-bite, from the Spanish to suck.

CHUPETONES : Name given to the small fry which habitually nibble the bait intended for bigger prey. Also called MORRALLA. CHUPAR is the Spanish to suck.

CHURRETEO : Word used to define someone who maintains a sycophantic relationship with someone else.

CHURRI : Shorter version on CHUCHURRIO. Denotes something of inferior quality.

CIMA : Local dish, stuffed piece of meat. CIMA is the Spanish for summit, like in a mountain.

CIMEN : Should be CEMENT or CEMENTO. COLILLA: Nickname given to a Policeman, also called a POLILLA.

COLILLA : The Spanish for a Fag-end, and POLILLA is a Moth.

COMBI : CARNE CONBL should be CORNED BEEF. In Spanish it is called CARNE ACECINADA CARNE is the Spanish for MEAT.

COMESTIBLES : Spanish ULTRAMARINOS. Tiendade ULTRAMARINOS. GROCERIES in English.

COMI : EL COMI, should be COMIC. From COMIC CAT, children's comics.

COMICA : Same as above. See COMI.

COMPA : Short version of COMPADRE. GODFATHER, FRIEND, PAL

COMPA : Should be COMPASS. In Spanish it is called BRUJULA.

COMPLONG : Should be COMPLOT. In English it is a PLOT

COMURSION or COMULSION: Should be CONVULSION. Same in English.

CONBOI : Refers to a HAMPER of goodies from a raffle. HAMPER is Spanish is CESTA. CONBOI can only be a
misnomer for CONVOY which in this case is being used in it's collective sense.

CONCRI or CONCLI : Bad English for CONCRETE. In Spanish it is HORMIGON. Not to be confused with the grandfather of all ants! See also CIMEN.

CONQUI : Should be CONKERS. There being no Horsechestnut trees in Gibraltar the alternative for English boys was to use Oak Apples which can be found at the bottom entrance to the Rock Hotel. When these became scarce, local boys would resort to ordinary Spanish Chestnuts. Thus was the game of CONKERS introduced to Gibraltar.

CONQUI : The name of a well known pastry cake made with coconut. It is interesting to note that the Jewish name of CONQUY was featured in the Census before the Great Siege. Our Jewish Community has always been highly esteemed for their fine confectionery, which makes one think about the origin of this word.

COOKI : Male pet name given when calling someone whose name is not known. Origin unknown.

COOKIN : UN COOKIN, from the English to COOK THE BOOKS, i.e., to falsify.

COPI : EL COPI refers to a child's homework. "HAY QUE HACER EL COPI ANTES DE SALIR A JUGAR". "YOU MUST DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE GOING OUT TO PLAY".

CORBA : Should be COAL BAG. From the days when coal heaving was done by hand, before the installation of the cranes at the North Mole. POR CORBA was a term used to describe a quantity BY COAL BAG. See also MAQUINAS DEL CARBON.

CORTAPISHA : This is an EARWIG. A little insect with pincers at the rear end of it's body. Literally translated it means WILLY CUTTER. The proper Spanish name for it is TUERETA.

CORTE : Should be JUZGADO or TRIBUNAL. Wrong use of CORTE which in Spanish refer to their Parliament or to Royalty.

COSKI or COZKI : Same as CAPONG. Knock on head with knuckles. Could be a diminutive of COZ which means KICK.

CRAKA : Should be CRACKERS. Same in Spanish for cracker biscuits.

CREN : Should be CRANE. The Spanish is GRUA. Also referred to as LAS MAQUINAS DEL CARBON. THE COAL MACHINES.

CRIKE : Should be CRICKET. The Spanish is CRIQUET.

CROKE : Refers to a GAFF HOOK. From the word CROCHET, a little hook. In Catalan Bay it is called ARPETA, most probably from the Spanish word ARPON, HARPOON.

CUARTITO : Should be RETRETE. The Spanish for TOILET. CUARTnO means LITTLE ROOM.

CUCHIBACHI : Should be CACHIVACHE, meaning JUNK. Wrongly used to describe an ATTIC which is Spanish is DESVAN or CALAMANCHON.

CUESQUI or CUESCO : Name given to a FART. The Spanish isPEDO. Origin unknown.

CURIANA : Should be CUCARACHA. The Spanish is KROACH.

CUSHIN : Should be CUSHION. The Spanish is COJIN

CATCH : The game of CATCH is common to Britain as it i I Spain as PILLA-PILLA. However in Gibraltar it was also J^L as CATCH EN ALTO, EN HIERRO, EN MADERA i e CATCH ON HEIGHT, ON IRON, ON WOOD. This meant that as long as a player got onto something above floor level, or touched iron or wood he was saved. Pronunciation is sometmJ CASH. "VAMOS A JUGAR A CASH".

CHARRAN : Term used for a Wiseguy, in Spanish it's a PILLO The word CHARRAN is the name of a species of shorebird called a PLOVER, known for (he way it simulates a broken wing to lure predators away from it's nest. Sometimes PLAYA is added e.g., "ESTAS HECHO UN CHARRAN DE PLAYA." PLAYA is the Spanish for BEACH.
COCO: Word used to define a HAT or CRASH HELMET. The true meaning is HEAD.

CALENTITA BOYS : Nickname given to the GDF locally enlisted men by the Royal Artillery during the Second World War. There was very hard competition among the different Batteries in trying to shoot the target sleeve down. Up till about the early 60's C ALENTTTA vendors still roamed our streets calling out their wares as C ALIENTE which means HOT in Spanish. Everyone will remember the last of these as old "PALOMA". Boys would take the mickey out of him by saying as he passed, "PALOMA COMO ESTA TU HERMAN A?" and he would carry on calling out "CALIENTE!!" The English version of this is "PALOMA HOW'S YOUR SISTER!" "HOT!" The other less seldom used version was GIBRALTARIAN CALENTTTAS.

CALDERA : Wrong word for TOILET CISTERN which is CISTERNA in Spanish.

CLENQUE : "ESTAR EN CLENQUE", means "TO BE SKELETAL" which correctly said in Spanish would be "ESTAR ESQUELETICO".

CALAMITA : IMAN/MAGNET