Category Archives: Language
Dog Naming in El Salvador
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. Scroll down for English translation!
Como dije la semana pasada, nosotros adaptamos a un perro y le pusimos el nombre “Chico.” El otro día Carlos habló a un amigo en El Salvador y le contó sobre nuestro nuevo miembro de la familia.
Carlos: “Le pusimos el nombre Chico.”
El amigo: “Y es el nombre de alguien con quien no te llevas bien?”
Carlos: “No, ¿por qué?”
El amigo: “Porque así hacemos a veces en El Salvador. Un vecino ya pusó mi nombre a su perro.”
Después de la llamada, Carlos me contó que dijo su amigo.
“Qué interesante,” dije, “Pero ¿no crees que ‘suegra’ es un nombre extraño para un perro?”
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
As I said last week, we adopted a dog and named him “Chico.” The other day Carlos called a friend in El Salvador and told him about the new member of our family.
Carlos: “We named him Chico.”
The friend: “And is that the name of someone you don’t get along with?”
Carlos: “No, why?”
The friend: “Because that’s what we do sometimes in El Salvador. The neighbor already named his dog after me.”
After the phone call, Carlos told me what his friend had said.
“How interesting,” I said, “But don’t you think that ‘mother-in-law’ is a strange name for a dog?”
Bilingual Parenting Takes Commitment… and Re-commitment
Sometimes I think I have the bilingual parenting thing down. We get into a groove and I’m speaking Spanish to my kids and they, more and more, are responding to me in Spanish – but it’s inevitable that just when we’ve hit our stride and are on the road to fluency, we will have a setback.
One big problem for me is that I don’t speak Spanish when I’m stressed or tired or very busy. The other day I woke up and realized, “My God, I’ve been stressed and tired and very busy the past few weeks! I’ve had so much on my mind and so many deadlines. I’ve barely spoken Spanish to my kids at all!”
This is when I kick myself in the nalgas and promise to start all over again.
Yesterday morning before my younger son left for school, I warned him not to run to the bus as he usually does, because a slick layer of frost covered the ground.
“Cuando venga el bus, no vayas corriendo, okay? El suelo está bien liso, entiendes?”
My son tilted his head not unlike a dog when you speak to it. I could almost see the words enter his ear, twist themselves inside his brain and translate one-by-one into English. He spoke aloud as he decoded the message.
“When the bus comes… don’t run… because…the ground is slippery?”
He still understands me, but there is more lag time. Then when he speaks, he doesn’t even realize he’s mixing English and Spanish in ways I’ve never even heard before.
After school he asked me what day we’re going to his grandmother’s house for Thanksgiving.
“El viente dos,” I said.
“Oh, el twenty dos,” he answered.
There’s no point in lamenting wasted time and stalled progress. I’m human, I was tired, I spent weeks speaking very little Spanish to my kids who I desperately want to be fully bilingual. It happens. Seguimos adelante.
____
Related: SpanglishBaby: Raising a Bilingual Child is Always a Work in Progress
Mi Perro Bilingüe
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is in italics!
Hay un nuevo miembro de nuestra familia! – Es un perrito que adoptamos. Pusimos el nombre “Chico” y ya está aprendiendo a ser bilingüe. Chécalo!
There’s a new member of our family! – It’s a puppy that we adopted. We named him “Chico” and he’s already learning to be bilingual. Check it out!
Atol de Elote
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
“Tenemos Atol de Elote!” dijo el cajero salvadoreño en el mercado latino. Él sonrió y tocó un gran recipiente de metal que parecía un pequeño barril.
“Atol de Elote?” dije, tratando de ganar tiempo.
“Sí, bien rico!” dijo el cajero.
Yo no quería ser desagradable pero Atol de Elote nunca me tentó. Que quiero decir, es una bebida hecha de maíz. Si tú dices “bebida de maíz” a la mayoría de los gringos, se sentirán disgustados.
De todos modos, acepté una taza de Atol de Elote y tomé un sorbo. Yo estaba dispuesta a regalar una sonrisa y decir que estaba delicioso sólo para estar agradable pero me sorprendió. Realmente era delicioso! Atol de Elote es perfecto para el clima frío, también – mejor que el Chocolate Caliente porque te llena.
Decidí tratar de hacer mi propio Atol de Elote pero en los Estados Unidos no podemos comprar mazorcas de maíz en el invierno. Esta receta utiliza maíz congelado. También usé leche de 1% por lo que es un poco más delgado que lo que traté en el mercado latino. Si quieres tu Atol de Elote más espesado, creo que usando leche entera iba a funcionar. Dale una prueba la receta y déjeme saber lo que piensas! … Acabo de hacer una olla y Carlos bebió una taza grande. Cálido y lleno, se quedó dormido en el sofá.
Atol de Elote
Necesitas:
5 tazas granos de maíz amarillo enteros congelados
6 tazas de leche
6 tazas de agua
1 1/4 tazas de azúcar
1/2 cucharadita de sal
3 rajas de canela
1 cucharadita de extracto de vainilla
Instrucciones:
1. Deja una taza de maíz a un lado.
2. En una licuadora, agregue 4 tazas de maíz y 4 tazas de agua. Mezcle 1 minuto.
3. Vierta el líquido de maíz en una olla grande con 2 tazas más de agua, la taza de maíz, palitos de canela y azúcar.
4. Revuelva constantemente a fuego medio por 5 a 10 minutos.
5. Agregue la leche. Revuelva constantemente por 15 minutos.
6. Retire del fuego. Añade la sal y el extracto de vainilla. Mezcle para combinar.
7. Sirva caliente en tazas.
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
“We have Atol de Elote!” the Salvadoran cashier said at the Latino market. He smiled and touched a large metal container that looked like a small barrel.
“Atol de Elote?” I said, trying to buy time.
“Yeah, it’s good!” said the cashier.
I didn’t want to be rude but Atol de Elote has never tempted me. I mean, it’s a drink made from corn. If you say “corn drink” to most Americans, they will feel disgusted.
Regardless, I accepted a cup of Atol de Elote and took a sip. I was prepared to give a polite smile and say it was delicious but I was surprised. It really was delicious! Atol de Elote is perfect for cold weather, too – better than hot chocolate because it fills you up.
I decided to try to make my own Atol de Elote but in the United States we can’t buy corn on the cob in the winter. This recipe uses frozen corn. I also used 1% milk so it is a bit thinner than what I tried at the Latino market. If you want your Atol de Elote thicker, I think using whole milk would work. Give the recipe a try and let me know what you think! … I just made a pot of it and Carlos drank a large cup. Warm and full he fell asleep on the sofa.
Atol de Elote
You Need:
5 cups frozen whole kernels of yellow corn
6 cups milk
6 cups water
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Set a cup of corn aside.
2. In a blender, add 4 cups of corn and 4 cups water. Blend 1 minute.
3. Pour the liquid corn mixture into a large pot with 2 cups of water, the cup of corn, sugar and cinnamon sticks.
4. Stir constantly over medium heat for 5-10 minutes.
5. Add the milk. Stir constantly for 15 minutes.
6. Remove from heat. Add the salt and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
7. Serve hot in mugs.
Celebrating Día de los Difuntos
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
Este año no pensé que ibamos a tener una ofrenda por Día de los Muertos. Dos años pasados, sin realizar que los salvadoreños no celebran Día de los Muertos igual que los mexicanos, hice una ofrenda para el papá de Carlos. Carlos agradeció el gesto pero ponía algo triste y esto no fue mi intención. El problema fue que Carlos no estaba acostumbrado tener una ofrenda porque en El Salvador no se hace eso.
Mientras que los mexicanos llaman el día “Día de los Muertos” y celebran la muerte, abrazan la muerte, aún se ríen de ella – los salvadoreños llaman el día “Día de los Difuntos” y lo consideran un día de recordar sus queridos fallecidos en una manera mucho más sombría.
El año pasado, no queriendo repetir mi error, no tenía previsto hacer una ofrenda, pero mis hijos me dijeron que les gustó la tradición y querian tener una. Entonces, hicimos una ofrenda por nuestro perro que se murió.
Este año no tenía planes por hacer una ofrenda otra vez, pero Carlos me dijo que ya se siente comodo en tener una ofrenda con sus queridos fallecidos. Entonces, nuestra ofrenda incluye el papá de Carlos, la abuela de Carlos, el abuelo de Carlos, (que se murió sólo una mes atrás), mi abuelo y dos perros.
Hay demasiados detalles en la ofrenda por explicar, pero les voy a explicar un poco. Tal vez ustedes pueden buscar los artículos en la foto que menciono.
El papá de Carlos, (“Don Max”) le gustó mucho el casamiento – un plato hecho de arroz y frijoles. Por eso, hay arroz y frijoles. También tuvo un camión pick-up, y estaba muy orgulloso de él. El papá de Carlos era un entrenador de fútbol y le gustaba echar chile en su comida, (algo raro por un salvadoreño, pero algo que le gusta a Carlos también.) Don Max no era muy religoso pero era super dedicado a San Antonio.
Mi abuelo tampoco era muy religoso, pero identificó como judío. Le gustó la música “Big Band” y se comió Corn Flakes cada mañana.
Hay una historia sobre el abuelo de Carlos. “Papá Milo” era muy bueno por nadar y a veces cruzó el Río Lempa nadando para traer grandes bolsas de maíz para su familia. El abuelo de Carlos también fue el alcalde de un pueblo de Chalatenango, y casi siempre andaba con sombrero de vaquero.
La abuela de Carlos se llamaba “Mamá Juana” y era una mujer muy dulce. Ella tuvo diez hijos, y le encantaban las flores. Yo recuerdo que a veces Mamá Juana, en la manera de muchas salvadoreñas del pueblo, usaba un delantal encima de su vestido, aunque no estaba cocinando.
¿Hiciste una ofrenda tú? Quién estás recordando?
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
This year I didn’t think we’d have an altar for Day of the Dead. Two years ago, without realizing that Salvadorans don’t celebrate Day of the Dead the same way Mexicans do, I made an altar for Carlos’s father. Carlos appreciated the gesture but it made him kind of sad, which was not my intention. The problem was that Carlos wasn’t used to having an altar because Salvadorans don’t make them.
While Mexicans call the day “Día de los Muertos” and celebrate death, embrace death, and even laugh at death – Salvadorans call the day “Día de los Difuntos” and consider it a day to remember your passed loved ones in a much more somber way.
Last year, not wanting to repeat my mistake, I didn’t have plans to make an altar, but my boys told me they liked the tradition and wanted to have one. So, we made an altar to one of our dogs which had died.
This year, again I didn’t have plans to make an altar, but Carlos told me he feels more comfortable now to have an altar with his passed loved ones. So, this year we have an altar which includes Carlos’s father, Carlos’s grandmother, Carlos’s grandfather, (who died only a month ago), my grandfather, and two dogs.
There are too many details to explain them all, but I will explain the altar to you a little. Maybe you can find the items I’ll mention in the photo.
The father of Carlos, (“Don Max”) really liked casamiento – a dish made from rice and beans. For that reason, there are rice and beans. He also had a pick-up truck which he was very proud of. Carlos’s father was a football coach and he liked to put chile pepper on his food, (kind of rare for a Salvadoran, but something Carlos also likes to do.) Don Max wasn’t very religious but he was super dedicated to Saint Anthony.
My grandfather wasn’t very religious either, but he identified as Jewish. He liked Big Band music and ate Corn Flakes every morning.
There’s a story about Carlos’s grandfather. “Papá Milo” was really good at swimming and sometimes he would swim across the Lempa River to bring big bags of corn to his family. Carlos’s grandfather was also the mayor of a town in Chalatenango and almost always wore a cowboy hat.
Carlos’s grandmother was called “Mamá Juana” and was a really sweet woman. She had ten children and she loved flowers. I remember that sometimes Mamá Juana, in the way of many Salvadoran women from the countryside, used to wear an apron over her dress, even though she wasn’t cooking.
Did you make an ofrenda? Who are you remembering?
Conversations at Casa López
There is usually at least one funny conversation in our household each day. I often share these conversations with friends and family on my Facebook page, but I decided to share the fun with all of you. Here are a few from the past few months.
Carlos: Opossum is same as a “tacuazin”, right?
Me: I think so. Check Google Images.
Carlos: How do you spell it?
Me: O-P-
Carlos: O?!
—
[I was talking to Carlos about something I can't remember and I said, "even though I'm not Latina"]
10 year old [interrupts]: You are too!
Me: No, honey, I’m not.
10 year old: You are Latina! You’re half like me!
Me: No, baby, I’m not Latina.
10 year old: Mommy, you are, cause you married Daddy.
Me: If you marry someone from China, are you going to be half Chinese?
10 year old: Yeah, of course!
Me: Oh. I didn’t know it worked that way.
—
Me: How do you say “listeners” in Spanish?
Carlos: What kind of listeners?
Me: Like listeners to a radio show… Would it be “escuchantes?”
—
Me: It’s in Kansas.
Carlos: Which Kansas?
Me: What do you mean which one? Kansas, the state.
Carlos: But is it in Kansas or Ar-Kansas?
—
Gringo co-worker: Hey you see those two German Shepherds over there?
Carlos: Yeah.
Gringo co-worker: You better watch out. They don’t like Mexicans.
Carlos: Well, good thing I’m not Mexican.
—
13 year old: I’m supposed to make tabs to divide my notebook for Spanish class.
Me: Okay.
13 year old: The teacher wants us to label one of the tabs “RECURSOS.”
Me: Mmhm.
13 year old: What does it mean?
Me: Can you take a guess?
13 year old: …Um… Repeat diarrhea?
Hey, at least he broke the word down and made a logical guess based on what he knows. (“Curso” is slang for “diarrhea” in El Salvador – not sure if that’s the case for anywhere else.)
—
[Me reading bedtime story to my 10 year old]
Me: “¿Puedes encontrar la araña?”
10 year old: Mommy, I’m not stupid. The spider is right there.
—
“You have to give me the credit of the doubt.” – Carlos
(He mixed up “Give me credit” and “benefit of the doubt.”)
—
“Do you know what time Obama is supposed to start speaking? … I want to watch but I don’t want to miss Chavito.” – Carlos
—
“You’re just adding more wood to the fire.” – Carlos
(He meant “fuel to the fire.”)
—
“I want to rent that movie Chale Homes.” – Carlos unsuccessfully trying to say “Sherlock Holmes” but sounding like a Chicano instead.
—
What is the funniest conversation you’ve had lately?
Letras Malentendidas – Misunderstood Lyrics
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
Todos tienen una canción (o dos, o más), que no entendian muy bien. Equivocarse con la letra es una cosa que pasa a cada persona de vez en cuando – pero la cosa se pone aún más complicada cuando la canción es en otro idioma.
Mi peor malentendido de una letra fue con la canción “Así Soy Feliz” por Espinoza Paz. He oido la canción probablemente cincuenta veces o más, porque me encanta, y siempre andaba yo cantandola, pero había una parte de la canción (1:09 en el video abajo) que siempre tuve que callarme porque no entendía que estaba diciendo.
Yo pensé que la letra era:
“No me gusta la carne de tienda segunda, pero es necesario, qué le voy hacer.”
Yo sabía que eso no podia ser la letra de verdad pero la escuché tantas veces y así la entendía. Pregunté a Carlos y me explicó que realmente, lo que decía es:
“No me gusta alejarme de ti ni un segundo, pero es necesario, qué le voy a hacer.”
¿Cuáles letras no entendiste bien tú?
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
Everyone has a song, (or two, or more), that they didn’t understand well. Getting the lyrics wrong is something that happens to everyone once in awhile – but it gets even more complicated when the song is in another language.
My worst misunderstanding of a lyric was in the song “Así Soy Feliz” by Espinoza Paz. I had heard the song probably fifty times or more, because I love it, and I was always singing along, but there was one part of the song (1:09 in the video above) where I always had to stop singing because I couldn’t understand what he was saying.
I thought the lyrics were:
“No me gusta la carne de tienda segunda, pero es necesario, qué le voy hacer.”
(I don’t like the meat from the second-hand store, but it’s necessary, what can I do.)
I knew that couldn’t be the real lyrics but I listened to it so many times and that was what I understood. I asked Carlos and he explained to me that the lyric is actually:
“No me gusta alejarme de ti ni un segundo, pero es necesario, qué le voy a hacer.”
(I don’t like to walk away from your for even a second, but it’s necessary, what can I do.)
What song lyrics have you misunderstood?
Related Links:
Guest Post: Espinoza Paz, un hombre sencillamente “talentoso”
5 Vídeos – English Dubbed Novelas, Grupo Lata, Cipotas, Espinoza Paz and Cholos Dancing Cumbia?
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is in italics!
Ha sido mucho tiempo que no he compartido mis vídeos favoritos con ustedes. Listos?
It’s been awhile since I’ve shared my favorite videos with you guys. Ready?
#1.
English Dubbed Novelas
¿Alguna vez has tratado de imaginar cómo hubiera sido una novela doblada al inglés? Imaginas no más! Aquí es una escena de Herederos del Monte que alguien dobló, (y es hilarantemente precisa.)
Have you ever wondered what a novela would be like dubbed in English? Imagine no more! Here is a scene from Herederos del Monte which someone dubbed, (and it’s hilariously accurate.)
#2.
Grupo Lata
¿Tuviste un mal día? Grupo Lata al rescate! Este hombre talentoso, chistoso y creativo toca latas como si fueran tamborcitos, canta, y da sonrisa a todos en la playa. Chécalo!
Have a bad day? Grupo Lata to the rescue! This talented, funny and creative man plays tin cans as if they were little drums, he sings, and he gives a smile to everyone at the beach. Check it out!
#3.
Cipotas
A veces ser salvadoreño significa que uno no se siente bien representado en los programas de televisión. Nuestros hijos nunca pueden ver un programa de niños y sentir que los caracteres hablan como ellos y su familia. Por esta razón me sentía super feliz encontrar estos vídeos que se llaman “Cuentos de Cipotes de Salarrue.” La calidad de la animación es fantástica y oye! Las cipotas hablan Caliche!
Sometimes being Salvadoran means one feels they aren’t well represented in TV programming. Our children can never watch a children’s show and feel that the characters speak like them and their family. For this reason I felt super happy to find these videos which are called “Cuentos de Cipotes de Salarrue.” The quality of animation is fantastic and listen! The little girls are speaking Caliche! [Salvadoran slang]
#4.
Espinoza Paz
Espinoza Paz comparte palabras sabias a jovenes sobre su educación y sus sueños.
Espinoza Paz shares wise words for young people about their education and their dreams.
#5.
Cholos Dancing Cumbia?
Este vídeo es titulado “Cholos bailando Cumbia” – y tiene razón que los muchachos parescan cholos, pero estoy casi segura que se identifican más con la cultura de Monterrey, México que se llama “Colombianos” (y que unos incorrectamente se llaman “Cholombianos.”) De cualquier manera, los muchachos no son de Colombia. La cultura es algo complicado explicar y tiene una larga historia. Es muy fácil juzgar a alguien por cómo se visten, y asumir cosas sobre su carácter – pero lo único que me queda claro es que estos chicos están disfrutando el momento, y me gusta la forma en que bailan.
This video is titled “Cholos dancing Cumbia” – and they’re right that the young men look like cholos, but I’m almost certain that they identify more with the culture from Monterrey, Mexico which is called “Colombians” (and which some incorrectly call “Cholombians.”) Either way, these guys are not from Colombia. It’s a little complicated to explain the culture and they have a long history. It’s easy to judge someone for the way they dress and assume things about their character – but the only thing that is clear to me is that these guys are enjoying the moment, and I like the way they dance.
¿Cuál vídeo fue tu favorito?
Which video was your favorite?
The Cone of Fire – El Cono de Fuego
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
El otro fin de semana, Carlos tenía dolor de oido, sentía que tenía fluido por dentro, y me pidió una cura. Empecé a enumerar los remedios caseros, pero Carlos no estaba entusiasmado por ninguno de ellos. Entonces me acordé de una pintura de Carmen Lomas Garza llamado Ventosa, que muestra un cono hecho de periódico con fuego en el oído de alguien. Le conté a Carlos y quiso hacerlo.
Hice un poco de investigación y luego decidimos probarlo. La primera vez lo hicimos en el comedor y eso era un gran error. El suelo en nuestra casa es alfombra y algunas cenizas empezaron a caer, creando un peligro de incendio. Cuando el fuego en el cono creció me dio pánico y no sabía cómo apagarlo. Abrí la puerta de atrás y lo tiré al patio.
Después Carlos me dijo que no se sentía mejor y unas horas más tarde quería tratar otra vez. Esta vez lo hicimos en la bañera, pero una vez más cuando el fuego creció un poco fuera de control, me ponía nerviosa. Yo creo que este remedio casero es demasiado peligroso por casas en los Estados Unidos, la mayoría que son hechas de puras cosas inflamables.
Al final, Carlos dijo que el “cono de fuego”, como lo llamamos, realmente no le ayudaba. Intenté uno de los primeros remedios que había mencionado originalmente – gotitas de aceite de oliva en el oído. Ahora se siente mejor.
¿Tienes experiencia con el “cono de fuego”? Funciona para ti?
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
The other weekend, Carlos had an earache – he felt like he had fluid in his ear and he asked me for a cure. I started to list home remedies I knew of, but Carlos wasn’t enthusiastic about any of them. Then I remembered a Carmen Lomas Garza painting called Ventosa, which shows a newspaper cone of fire in someone’s ear. I told Carlos about it and he wanted to do it.
I did a little research and then decided to try it. The first time we did it in the dining room which was a big mistake. The flooring is carpet in our house and some ash began to fall, creating a fire hazard. When the fire grew bigger on the cone I panicked and didn’t know how to put it out. I unlocked the back door and threw it onto the patio.
Afterward Carlos told me he wasn’t feeling better and a few hours later he wanted to try again. This time we did it in the bathtub, but again when the fire grew a little out of control, I got nervous. I think this home remedy is too dangerous for homes in the United States, which are made of purely flammable things.
In the end, Carlos said the “cone of fire”, as we call it, didn’t really help. I tried one of the first remedies that I had originally mentioned – drops of olive oil in the ear. Now he feels better.
Do you have experience with the “cone of fire?” – Does it work for you?
Mexican … $2.25
Today is Spanish Friday so this post is in Spanish. If you participated in Spanish Friday on your own blog, leave your link in comments. English translation is below!
Yo nací y crecí en Maryland. Uno pensaría que los estados fronterizos no serían muy diferentes. Uno esperaría que usaramos las mismas palabras para las mismas cosas y que compartimos las mismas comidas – pero uno estaría equivocado.
En el estado de West Virginia, en un ciudad sólo quince minutos más de la frontera con Maryland, comí en un restaurante y, mientras miraba el menú, vi algo muy confuso.
Leí:
Cheeseburger $3.50
Bacon Cheeseburger $3.75
BLT $2.95
Hot dog $1.75
Todo bien, buenos precios, pero el siguiente punto del menú era:
Mexican $2.25
¿Qué qué? ¿Un Mexican? ¿Un Mexican qué? Si se hubiera escrito como “Mexican Sandwich” yo no creo que me hubiera sorprendido, pero sólo decia “Mexican”.
Primero pensé que sólo era este restaurante, pero es un sándwich popular en la península del oriente del estado de West Virginia – y así se llama – es un “Mexican” – nadie le añade la palabra “sándwich”.
Yo todavía no he ordenado un “Mexican”, pero por lo que entiendo, es como un Sloppy Joe en un pan de perro caliente. Nadie sabe exactamente por qué se llama un “Mexican”, pero algunos dicen que es debido a las especias usadas para sazonar la carne.
Bueno, tal vez no es tan raro. Después de todo, los mexicanos tienen una comida que se llama “gringa.”
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
I was born and raised in Maryland. One would think that the border states would not be very different. One would expect that we use the same words for the same things and that we eat the same foods – but one would be wrong.
In the state of West Virginia, in a town just fifteen minutes from the border with Maryland, I ate at a restaurant and, while looking at the menu, I saw something very confusing.
I read:
Cheeseburger $3.50
Bacon Cheeseburger $3.75
BLT $2.95
Hot dog $1.75
All looks good, good prices, but the next item on the menu was:
Mexican $2.25
What? A Mexican? A Mexican what? If they had written it as “Mexican Sandwich” I don’t think I would have stopped short, but it only said “Mexican.”
First I thought it was just this restaurant, but it’s actually a popular sandwich in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia – and that’s the name – it’s a “Mexican” – no one adds the word “sandwich.”
I still have not ordered a “Mexican” but from what I understand, it’s like a Sloppy Joe in a hot dog bun. No one seems to know exactly why its called a “Mexican” but some say it’s because of the spices used to season the meat.
Well, maybe it isn’t that odd. After all, Mexicans have a dish called the “gringa.”
