For as long as I can remember the word gringo has been a derogatory slang word for Americans in Spanish / Portuguese speaking countries. Quote from Wikepedia " Various dictionaries classify gringo as "offensive slang," "usually disparaging," and "often disparaging."
While many say that Gringo is non-derogatory I believe it is and the reasoning for not calling Americans as such is that America is a continent? It is also a country. I would not call a Brazilian an American, as he would be called after his country. We Americans would also like to be called after our country!
by A Veteran April 29, 2011
Informal term used in Latin and Central America to a person mainly from the US, but often from European and First World countries (one won't call an Ethiopian a gringo). Usually derogatory, relating to a clumsy and/or unadapted character. A gringo is primariliy identified by his/her behavior, showing obvious traits of a non-native person, such as: difficulty to understand and speak the local idiom; extravagant, distinctive clothing; strong willingness to learn and engage in local customs; slightly different facial expressions and posture (culturally learned).
"Man, I'm cracking up here! Check that gringo trying to dance samba!!"
"What about visiting the Presidential Memorial?" "Nah, only gringos go there..."
"Tell you what: let's speak English tonight and tell the girls that we are gringos full o' cash!"
"You're really American?? You don't look/sound so gringo..."
"What about visiting the Presidential Memorial?" "Nah, only gringos go there..."
"Tell you what: let's speak English tonight and tell the girls that we are gringos full o' cash!"
"You're really American?? You don't look/sound so gringo..."
by Douglas Souza July 28, 2006
by Amanda SB May 7, 2008
by latino14 May 29, 2009
I can say that "gringo" is used to call every foreigner person, here in Brazil.
And, doesn't matter if the person is black or white, the language and not even the country that this person came from.
And, doesn't matter if the person is black or white, the language and not even the country that this person came from.
* Look at that gringo! It's hilarious the way he try to sspeak portuguese.
(Olhe aquele gringo! É hilário a forma que ele tenta falar português)
* The gringo that i met yesterday is overwhelmed by the pretties views of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo.
(O gringo que eu conheci ontem está impressionado com as lindas paisagens do Rio de Janeiro e Espírito Santo)
(Olhe aquele gringo! É hilário a forma que ele tenta falar português)
* The gringo that i met yesterday is overwhelmed by the pretties views of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo.
(O gringo que eu conheci ontem está impressionado com as lindas paisagens do Rio de Janeiro e Espírito Santo)
by gigi February 21, 2005
The word "gringo" may have come from the Mexicans hearing the Anglo invaders into Texas singing "Green Grow the Rushes, Oh" around their campfires ad nauseum. Whether the word is derogatory or not seems to depend on how close you are to or how far north you are of the Mexican-American border. "Gringo" is not as neutral in El Paso, Tijuana or East L.A. as it is further south of the border.
by Skeptical Bright March 17, 2012
by dumbassgirl July 10, 2006