Did you grow up hearing Mexican dichos or sayings/proverbs?

Today’s dicho is a piropos or a saying meant to be flirtatious, gallant, or amorous.  It is said piropos originated in Spain from the gypsies in medieval times.

Piropos are either loved or hated.  Some women claim to feel complimented while others feel they are degrading.  They can range from being poetic and funny to obscene.  They are very commonly heard in working-class areas and are expected to be ignored as women walk by. They are also used as phrases of affection for a loved one.  Many view it as a cultural art form and collecting humorous piropos is popular.

Dicho/piropos  in Spanish:

Tantas curvas y yo sin frenos.

Dicho/piropos  in English:

So many curves, and I have no brakes.

This classic one was shared by my uncle Frank who says it was popular in his youth.  I really can’t imagine him ever using it (uh-huh).

Decades ago I used to work in an office on 6th avenue here in Tucson that sat across from a mechanic shop.  Every time a pretty girl walked by, the mechanics would shout out a chorus of piropos to them in English and Spanish.  I honestly can’t say they were being artistic or gallant or that my life experience was enhanced by the show, but it was entertaining.  I wonder if those guys are still at it today in our more politically correct world.

See a list of all my dicho posts here.

Do you have dichos to share?  If so, email them to comments@bjaysplace.com.

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