He was known for his legendary Cuban black beans & rice. But great-grandfather, Julio, had a flavorful way with words, too. Like many Habaneros, fueled by rum, café Cubano and ever-present tobacco, Julio had a knack for inventing colorful & crazy sayings, unique to the island. Strangely wonderful Cuban sayings occupy a special place in the world-wide lexicon of the Spanish language. And there's often a double-meaning behind these famous phrases. Here are some of my favorites (with translations to English and the actual meaning in red )
Hay un frio que chilfla el mono! (it's so cold the monkey is whistling!)
Esta pasando el Niagara en bicicleta (he's going over Niagara Falls by bicycle)
Actual meaning: "he's having an impossibly difficult time"
Esta tocao del queso (his cheese has been "touched" or tampered with)
Actual meaning: "he's out of his mind"
Se esta comiendo un cable (he's eating a [steel] cable)
Actual meaning: "he's in desperate straits"
Tiene un coco con Elena (he has a "coconut" with Elena)
Actual meaning: "he has a crush on Elena"
El horno no esta para galleticas! (the oven isn't ready for cookies)
Actual meaning: "don't bother me. I'm in a foul mood!"
Feliz ano nuevo everybody!
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