Word of this week

[Ben]

When I first arrived here I think I could absorb a huge number of new words a week, a rate that gradually slowed down as my vocabulary grew, to the point where now I think my brain can only cope with about one new word a week - and no matter how much Spanish you think you know, new words keep on cropping up!

So, I thouht I'd share this week's word with you:

'Ascuas', and the phrase 'estar en/sobre ascuas'.

I could tell you what it means, but in my experience these things stick better if you force yourself to look them up ;)

So, for ten points, what does it mean, and what is your word of the week?

[cubix]

A red Hot Coal

Easter en ascuas means to be on the tenterhooks- I had never heard this expression before, but I did a little research. It means to be in a state of suspense

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ont1.htm

My word of the week would be "recaudador", now go look it up.

I have have seen it too many times, because we've been studying the life of Miguel Cervantes this week.

Greg

[Ben]

A red Hot Coal

Easter en ascuas means to be on the tenterhooks

Yes! Also 'embers'.

Now I'm off to look up your word...

[lumpsuckerpig]

A red Hot Coal

Easter en ascuas means to be on the tenterhooks- I had never heard this expression before, but I did a little research. It means to be in a state of suspense

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-ont1.htm

My word of the week would be "recaudador", now go look it up.

I have have seen it too many times, because we've been studying the life of Miguel Cervantes this week.

Greg

Creo que la palabra quiere decir COLLECTOR, verdad?

Can anyone shed some 'luz' on the phrase "son los bichos"? I think this phrase sounds ultra cool. I may not have got it quite right, but I think it's close or even correct as this is from memory.

[gary]

My word of the week is ortiga - we have a little South American lad at the school at which I am currently working and they know I speak some Spanish. I was called upon to explain the rash to his mum and had to look this one up.

Even then she had no idea what ortigas were - do they only grow in the UK?

[cubix]

My word of the week is ortiga - we have a little South American lad at the school at which I am currently working and they know I speak some Spanish. I was called upon to explain the rash to his mum and had to look this one up.

Even then she had no idea what ortigas were - do they only grow in the UK?

I assume ortiga is talking about the nettle plant, I think that they only grow in the pacific northwest of the States(due to climate)

[cubix]

Creo que la palabra quiere decir COLLECTOR, verdad?


Yep, Miguel Cervantes one of his jobs was a tax collector, and he said that this job influenced him much in writing Don Quijote, because he got to travel La Mancha and Andalucia. Now for 10 points, what was he a tax collector of(what items) and for 5 points how do you say taxes?

[gary]

I assume ortiga is talking about the nettle plant, I think that they only grow in the pacific northwest of the States(due to climate)

Got it in one!

Our local remedy for nettle stings is to pick a fresh dock leaf and rub the affected area - dock leaves always grow where there are nettles.

But the school cant do that and i couldnt find the spanish for the dock plant (biological name rumex) to advise her - can anyone help?

[gary]

Yep, Miguel Cervantes one of his jobs was a tax collector, and he said that this job influenced him much in writing Don Quijote, because he got to travel La Mancha and Andalucia. Now for 10 points, what was he a tax collector of(what items) and for 5 points how do you say taxes?

How does impuestos grab you?

[cubix]

How does impuestos grab you?

Anyone gonna go for the 10 point question?

Lumper-Not really sure, just guessing here. Well Bicho is a bug, I looked in my idiom dictionary, and

Todo Bicho Viviente-To tell every living soul, so maybe son bicho is to be annoying? Just guessing

[Ben]

Yep, Miguel Cervantes one of his jobs was a tax collector, and he said that this job influenced him much in writing Don Quijote, because he got to travel La Mancha and Andalucia. Now for 10 points, what was he a tax collector of(what items) and for 5 points how do you say taxes?

Supplies for the Spanish Armada?

[gary]

Creo que la palabra quiere decir COLLECTOR, verdad?

Can anyone shed some 'luz' on the phrase "son los bichos"? I think this phrase sounds ultra cool. I may not have got it quite right, but I think it's close or even correct as this is from memory.

This from Word Reference:


bicho m
1 (insecto) bug, insect
(animal) animal
(cebo) bait

2 (niño) little devil

3 (mal) bicho (persona perversa) nasty piece of work
fig fam bicho raro, weirdo: Pedro es un bicho raro, Pedro is a weirdo
fam hum bicho viviente, living soul: todo bicho viviente tiene un móvil, every mother's son has a mobile phone

[cubix]

Supplies for the Spanish Armada?

Nope,

[Polly]

son los bichos = they are the tiny beasts (literal translation)

I like Cubix' idea: Todo Bicho Viviente-To tell every living soul -- which puts me in mind of the Mexican idom for a busybody or gossip (the expression means an old woman who gossips): "Maruča" (sp?)

so my guess - "They are little gossips"

************************************************** *****

The only biographical reference I found to Cervantes being a tax collector was during the period 1584-1604 at which time he was also a purchasing agent for the Spanish Armada. Seems he got into some trouble over irregularities in accounts, and also was excommunicated for confiscating supplies belonging to the dean of the cathedral of Seville.

[ValenciaSon]

I am aware of bicho meaning insect in South America, but I am also aware that it takes on a more phallic meaning in Central America, so be careful.

[Rania]

I have to memorize the last words then i will share u my word ;D

thanx 4 this useful thread

[jubilee]

Just had to learn urracas because they are leaving broken duck eggs on our lawn...