Yanito Dictionary

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M

MAHUGIN or MEJUGEN : Something SLIMY, in Spanish it is something PRINGOSO or PEGAJOSO. Origin unknown.

MAJARON : From the Spanish MAJADERO, to be STUPID.

MANASCADA : Vulgar, from a certain Mr Manasco who was caught doing it??

MANCHINA : Name given to a CRANE. The Spanish is GRUA. See also CRENES. Most probably derivates from the
English word MACHINE or Italian BANCHINA DEL CARBONE.

MANGUEAR : From the Spanish word MANGA, meaning SLEEVE. The word itself is used to define STEALING. "VOY A MANGUEAR", i.e., I AM GOING TO STEAL". It therefore seems that the origin is from MANGANEAR, to LASSO.

MANKINA : Bad Spanish for MAQUINA. MACHINE.

MANOPLA: Wrong word used for a paint brush over six inches wide which is called BROCHA. MANOPLA is the Spanish for GLOVE or FACE CLOTH.

MANUSEAR : Bad Spanish for MANOSEAR to TOUCH WITH ONE'S HANDS.

MAOT : Local Jewish word meaning MONEY.

MAPA : Should be BISAGRA or HINGE.

MAQUEARSE : Bad Spanish for MAQUILLARSE. To put on MAKE UP. MAQUEARSE is also used to define when one dresses up for an important occasion.

MAQUINA CHENGLE : Should be STEAM ROLLER. Literally translated it means the SHINGLE MACHINE. In Spanish it is APISONADORA.

MARCHAPIE : Wrong word used for PAVEMENT which is ACERA in Spanish. MARCHAPIE is a Nautical term given to the passage ways on the deck of a ship between Holds. The origin of this misnomer is not difficult to guess since Gibraltar has always been bustling with sailors of all Nationalities, it must have been second nature to have called the pavements by their Nautical namesakes.

MARIQUITA CORRE CALLE : Game of LEAP FROG. The Spanish version is PIDOLA.

MARTIN MARTIN : A WARNING or CAUTION On unknown.

MARTINGALA : MARTINGALE part of a horses reins, same in Spain. In this case a "TIO MARTINGALA" or UN MARTINGALISTA". This defines a SWINDLER.

MATAURA : Should be COSTRA or POSTILLA. This is a rough way of defining SCABS. Origin unknown. Possible derivation from MATAR to KILL.

MEBLI : Should be MARBLES. The game of MARBLES, which in Spanish is CANICAS. MEBLI, HIJO DEL: See under HUO DEL MEBLI.

MESAO : From the English Military MESS. The Spanish is COMEDOR MILITAR.

MESQUDV : Should be MEZQUIN. This word is used to describe an unfortunate or unlucky person. The Spanish word MEZQUIN defines a MEAN CAT. Therefore a MEZQUIN is the result of a MEZQUINDAD.

METAL : Should be LATON. The English is BRASS.

MIQUEAR or MIKEA : To PEEP like a PEEPING TOM The Spanish is MIRON. The origin of this word comes from MICO which is Spanish for MONKEY. A MICO is also a SEX-MANIAC.

MIQUETA or MIKETA : A type of Bread Loaf. Origin unknown.

MIQUETA or MIKETA : To punch or slap someone. Origin unknown.

MIRLAR : Bad Spanish for BIRLAR to SWINDLE OUT OF, CHEAT or STEAL.

MISERERE, DOLOR DEL : Name given to any of many different deaths which occured for which the illness was not known. Nowadays, it is thought that the majority of these could have been due to Appendicitis and Peritonitis. Literally translated it means THE PAIN OF MISERERE. MISERERE is the Latin for MERCY or PITY.

MISTO : Should be FOSFORO or CERILLA which are in common use in Spain, however they hardly ever used MIXTO exists. Why we use this version here is rather odd unless we associate It with EL MISTO DE UNA BOMBA, i.e., A BOMB'S FUZE.

MISTRA : This means to CLOUT. In Spanish it would be INA BOFETADA. The origin could well come from the Spanish MITRA which is a Bishop's MITRE. When a Bishop Confirms someone he does so by gentry slapping the face with two fingers of his right hand (index and middle).

MOBI or MOVI : Diminuative of AUTOMOBILE. "TEN CUIDAO CON EL MOVI!" "BE CAREFUL WITH THE CAR!".

MOLINO : Wrong Spanish word for ELECTRIC FAN, which should be VENTILADOR. MOLINO is a MILL, hence the connection between WINDMILL and FAN. Also wrongly used to say PROPELLOR on an Aeroplane or Ship.

MONEDA DE BARBA : Name given to any Coin not in current circulation or of foreign origin i.e., not legal tender Originates from "NO ES UNA MONEDA DE BARBA!" "IT ISN'T A BEARDED COIN!" This meant that unless a coin had the bearded face of the King on it, it was considered no good.

MONGI : A very recent addition to our vocabulary. From die word MONGOLIO, which in itself is also wrong as the correct Spanish is MONOOUCO, in this case die English word we are looking for is MONGOLOID and not MONGOL. It is used to describe someone who is good for nothing, die current English version is calling someone "A SPASTIC!" There are numerous Spanish variants.

MONICACO : Name given to an impudent young rescal. Derives from MONO (MONKEY) and MACACO MACAQUE).

MONINGAUN : Should be MORNING-GOWN. The Spanish is S ALTO DE CAM A which is also used for NEGLIGEE.

MONIQUETA : Should be MUECA which is to GRIMACE.

MORSILLON : Should be MEJILLON the Spanish for MUSSEL.

MORTELA : A word meaning a big heap. Most probably originates from MORTERADA, in other words the aftermath of a concentrated MORTAR ATTACK which would obviously leave a pile of rubble.

MOTORCITO : Should be MOTOR-BOAT. The Spanish being LANCHA or MOTORA.

MUELA : Expression from the game of MARBLES, meaning to hit at point blank range. MUELA is Spanish for MILL-STONE

MUNCHO : Bad Spanish for MUCHO. MUCH.

MONIATO : Bad Spanish for BONIATO. SWEET POTATO.