this post was submitted on 03 Jun 2024
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I’ve been told the origin of the word “gringo” comes from somewhere in Latin America, the people telling US soldiers to leave: “green” (the color of the uniforms), and “go”. That one seems topical but it’s unlikely many Americans will get in a huff over it, not really seen as a “bad” word.
Since I’m an American, I’m trying to think of words that the typical trooper would get offended at (but also not problematic). “Bubba” kinda works. Soldiers are also suuuper sensitive about the possibility that some other guy is screwing their wife back in the US, so maybe some Norwegian word that plays off that could work.
Edit: Also, American soldiers really get off on the idea that they are superior to normal Americans. Only natural, given how deeply Americans lick their boots. Maybe you can pick the most boring, normal “American” name you can think of like “Kevin” and call all of them that. I think that would get under their skin.
"Boot" for the troops specifically
Given that the word "gringo" almost certainly predates the existence of the United States, I'd question that etymology.
The most likely origin of "gringo" is from "griego", so the original meaning was basically "someone who speaks unintelligibly"
A Mexican taxi driver once told me that "gringo" came from "green go" as well, but his explanation was that once you get your green card, you go. He definitely joking, of course, but interesting that there are two versions of the "green go" etymology.
Why would Hispanic people say "green go" instead of "lárgate verdeños"?
because they would ignore anything that is not in english
They would ignore anything coming from a brown person either way.
Also this is tangential, but when I was a kid, my classmates and I would prank our not-Spanish-speaking friends by making them say "pink cheese green goes" without ever telling what it means. I'm sure this tradition comes from the diet of these green troops too lmao
Gringo isn't usually used to refer specifically to usonians though.