Old 12-19-2010, 02:49 PM
  # 57 (permalink)  
Phoenixthebird
Rising from the Ashes
 
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Republic of Texas
Posts: 451
I couldn't be from the Republic of Texas without mentioning TexMex. It's the cultural blending of Southern Texas and Northern Mexico. Here's just a few TexMex words. Roll the R's, stretch those N's, and make those J's sound as H's !!

BANO (bon-YO)
The second most important room of the CASA, the BATHROOM. In travelling to Mexico or Spain, this is the single most important word to remember. If you say to someone "Bano"? as in asking "where is A bathroom" and they say "No, muchas gracias", you are in trouble. Then pull out the phrase "Donde esta el bano?" and they will more than likely will point you in a direction where you shall commence to proceed!!

BIENVENIDOS (bee-in-vin-knee-THOSE)
We welcome you!! (Howdy, Hola, Yo!, etc)

BUENO (WHEN-o)
Good. OK. "An acknowledgement that everything is A-OK...."

CASA (KA-sa)
That dwelling that one calls HOME. Ever here the phrase "Mi casa is su casa"? Well if someone tells you that, it's about the highest compliment one can receive.

COCINA (ko-SEE-na)
The most important room in the casa, the KITCHEN.

COCINERA (ko-SEE-nair-uh)
Female cook.

COCINERO (ko-SEE-nair-o)
Male cook. In early pioneer days, the 'chuck wagon' on the trail drives was generally an aging cowboy who was the highest paid worker on the drive. In Tex-Mex history, he was referred to as the "cocinero", especially when of Spanish descent.

GRACIAS (GRAC-ee-us)
Thanks, thank you. Also Muchas Gracias is a whole lots' of thanks...

GRINGO (GREEN-go)
Tex-Mex for non-Mexican descendent. White face, American, anything but of Hispanic heritage. (Commonly used derogatorily)

HOLA (OL-ah)
Hello. Used in greeting another amigo or amiga.

LINGO (lean-GO)
The 'language' spoken. As in Tex-Mex is spoken here. No place to make a mistake or you'll be noticed right off.

TEJAS (tey-HAS)
The LONE STAR STATE, TEXAS. The word Tejas comes from the Hasinai Indian word which translates into friends and allies.

TORTILLERIA (TORE-tee-a-ree-uh)
A store that specializes in fresh ground, corn masa and tortillas as well as specialty items such as chicharones and barbacoa.
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