Latina moms have a certain flair about them that I have yet to see in other moms. They love to use expressions that make their kids stop and think, "WTH does that mean?" And will she de-code it for you? Of course not. Part of the lesson you should learn from these sayings is all in the interpretation. And if you don't figure out her meaning of the prase, then you're in for a good chancletaso so watch your back!
My mom loved her sayings as much as the next mamá on the block but she mixed it up for a perfect blend of Spanglish that could be used on any of the kids under her roof- biological or not. To this day she dispenses healthy doses of dichos along with advice (solicited or otherwise) and a load of opinions that should be deemed as fact by all of those within ear-shot. That's why I love her. That's why she's unique and irreplaceable. That's why she has has the honor of so many of my friends and family who regard her as a second mom.
I believe that anyone who knows a Latina mom has found a second mami. I have yet to meet a Latina mom who does not mother everyone around her. When I moved to Des Moines and knew no one, a group of amazing, loving, wise Latina women (who happen to be mothers) took me in as their own and imparted their wisdom, advice and concern on me. I still work with these women and love them as my second, third, forth and fifth moms. You can never have enough mothers so to all of you who have opened up your lives, hearts and cariño to strangers who have become like family, I salute you and honor you.
To my mom I wish her many more 'children' who love her and are positively impacted by having her in their lives.
To the other women in my life, whether moms or yet-to-be moms I thank you for generously sharing your love and look forward to the day when moms rule the world!
For all of you who have ever known a Latina mom, I offer you a break-down of some of the more popular sayings, courtesy of a forward sent by my madrina, an awesome woman who has also been a mother to more than blood relatives:
The Wisdom of Mamas Hispanas:
A lesson about RELIGION -
"Pídele a Dios que yo no te agarre." - Pray to God I don't catch you.
A lesson about ANTICIPATION -
"Deja que lleguemos a la casa, coño!" - Wait until we get home damn it!
A lesson about one's ROOTS -
"Mal-agradecido, cuando yo era chiquita no tenía nada!" - Ungrateful kid, when I was your age I had nothing!
A lesson about LOGIC -
"Cómo que por qué? Porque Si!" - What do you mean, 'why'? Because that's why!
A lesson about WISDOM -
"Tú crees que te lo sabes todo y no sabes ni limpiarte el culo!" - You think you know it all but you don't even know how to properly wipe your behind!
A lesson about CONFUSION -
"Me cago en la Madre que te parió!" - I'll let my readers figure this one out on their own for a little comic relief ;-)
(Wait, isn't that her?)
¡Felicidades a todas las madres en este día especial!
Comments
Oh my gosh Christina, I'm rolling!!
"Me cago en la Madre que te parió!" - Although my mom never said this one for reasons I need not explain, lol, it was my grandfathers favorite phrase!!!
Here's something I thought I would share, lol!
Al cagaero me voy sin poderme detener, que la comida de hoy, me empuja la de ayer.
Good one Diana!
WOW, this is a good one. I love your articles. Keep up the good work.
Very nice amiga!....I need to call my mother now.....keep up the great work!
Funny stuff cuz… This is just the tip of the iceberg on figuring out our mothers...
That was a great article Christina! Growing up, I clearly remember my mother saying "Cómo que por qué? Porque Si!" I can still hear her voice. It was fun to read those phrases. Just yesterday, Mom busted out some spanglish. She said, "Que cute." How cute is that? Keep writing! :o)
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