A.I. Diagiamini
Some say Chilean Spanish is famous — or rather infamous — for its heavy use of slang and fast tempo, which makes it difficult for other Spanish speakers to pick up, let alone most foreigners. Still, when you’ve lived here long enough, it flows out of you naturally; think of piscolas and jotes coming and going during a weekend party.
Since other sayings-related sets have been approved or are under review, methinks I’ll submit this one for the devs to consider adding to the Chilean stamp store. It’s a six-item pack for a mere 100 coins, a perfectly fair price for locals and tourists alike.
* Peinando la Muñeca (Combing the Doll): Said when someone is/goes insane beyond any possibility of recovery. Originates from the iconic final scene of “Los Títeres,” a soap opera aired in 1984, when the villainess loses her mind and ends throwing her dolls into a pool before going in herself to comb their hair.
* Huevón (Big Egg/Huge Egg): Perhaps the most versatile term in Chilean slang, it can be a term of endearment or an insult depending on the context. Applies to people as well as things (huevada) and doesn’t have a fixed spelling, with variants like “hueón,” “weón,” “won,” “hueá” and “weá.”
* ¿Cachái?: The Chilean equivalent of “Capisce?”. Enough said.
* Se Me Apagó la Tele (My TV Turned Off): Passing out after drinking way too much booze the day/night before.
* Mano de Guagua (Baby’s Hand): Used to refer to someone stingy, if not a textbook miser. Comes from the strength babies use to clench their fists when holding on to something/someone.
* Hacer una Vaca (To Make a Cow): When you and your buddies pool currency for a common goal, e.g. buying beer, snacks and meat for the barbecue before a big football match.
N.B.: It was hard as heck to pick these six, for Chilean Spanish has hundreds — if not outright thousands — of original expressions that are equally worthy of being part of this here set.