Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
calaca
English translation:
skeleton
Added to glossary by
Oso (X)
Oct 22, 2004 17:12
19 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Spanish term
calaca
Spanish to English
Art/Literary
Folklore
it's a term used in Mexico for the Day of the Dead. Does is just refer to the amusing poems written on the occasion or does it also mean skeleton
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +5 | skeleton |
Oso (X)
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| 5 +2 | death figure, Grim Reaper |
Henry Hinds
|
| 3 | "bones" as in Davy Jones |
Antonio Villarreal Ulloa
|
Proposed translations
+5
2 mins
Selected
skeleton
Hello Wendy,
It means skeleton and the amusing poems are called "calaveras".
Good luck from Oso ¶:^)
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Note added at 2004-10-22 17:17:07 (GMT)
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calavera=skull
It means skeleton and the amusing poems are called "calaveras".
Good luck from Oso ¶:^)
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Note added at 2004-10-22 17:17:07 (GMT)
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calavera=skull
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Great answers. Thanks. I am very familiar with the holiday (I live in Mexico)—I just had a mental lapse. "
+2
28 mins
Henry Hinds
United States
United States
Native in Spanish
&
English
United States
43 years of Border Experience and fast.
Native in: English 
, Spanish
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
8
death figure, Grim Reaper
This is a death figure from Mexican folklore consisting of a skeleton figure of an old woman called by various names such as "La Huesuda", "La Llorona", and also "La Calaca".
The figure of the "Grim Reaper" could be considered to be a cultural equivalent, although not a precise one.
Mexican folklore in such matters is quite rich and really interesting. I would urge you to check it out to get some of the flavor.
The figure of the "Grim Reaper" could be considered to be a cultural equivalent, although not a precise one.
Mexican folklore in such matters is quite rich and really interesting. I would urge you to check it out to get some of the flavor.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Esperanza Gallegos
: Saludos Henry. Aquí seguimos cuidándonos de "la huesuda"
10 mins
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Gracias, Esperanza, igual aquí, al diablo con sus huesos.
|
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| agree |
María Teresa Taylor Oliver
: ¿Será algo así como "La Tulivieja" por estos lares? Tengo ganas de comer candy corn, de ése que no más se vende para Halloween (somos muy gringos acá) ;-) // jejeje sí, acá a la tulivieja se le llama también la llorona, ésa que llora al hijo muerto.
2 hrs
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Gracias, Tere, No conocía yo lo de "La Tulivieja", al parecer el origen es distinto pero será un equivalente "cultural". A mí también me encantan también esos dulces pero los evito como la "muerte".
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1 hr
Antonio Villarreal Ulloa
Mexico
Mexico
Native in Spanish
Mexico
As good as it gets.
Native in: Spanish
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English
"bones" as in Davy Jones
Mexican slang in comparison to the English slang use by pirates
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