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slew
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It's from the Mexican American war, butt the origin is disputed. As the pther said, it might come from our green uniform. TH other theory was that it came from a song our army sang. I think it was "as the Green Grow." |
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Thomas L
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ya because are army is green so one day it just caught on |
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brenda r
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Dont know Dont care! We got names for them too and anytime they wanna know the meanings we might or might not tell em! Nanni nanni boo boo! |
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Twinkie Thief
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when they lost the war to the US the American troops wore green uniforms the term gringo came from a shortened version of green go home |
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Jimmy J
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Who cares? I don't think there is a shortage of racist pejoratives for them among the American people either. |
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stella
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Americans wore green uniforms, and during the Mexican-American War of 1846- 1848 they would say "Green, go!" which later morphed into "gringo" and stuck. However, nowadays it is used on any white person, but mostly Americans.
Ciao! |
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Farty Valentino
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I dunno why...
But is Sure not for the Green Uniforms
cus it was before then than |
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ldwamego
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Gringo is not a term of endearment, " gringo - a Latin American (disparaging) term for foreigners (especially Americans and Englishmen)" -the freeonline dictionary. If we go further it has been defined by Jose Angel Gutierrez as, "A racist, imperialist, colonialized society of white people." Jose Gutierrez was the founder of La Raza Unida, which is a political party that is dedicated to furthering the rights of Mexican people.
Just like every other culture, Mexicans have pejorative terms for other cultures and try to pass them off as harmless. So I am sure they wouldn't mind being called "beaners" then right? Same thing, how about we leave the "nicknames" out of it and teach our kids to respect each other? |
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badmotherrucker
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There are allot of words we can't use on YA because of the racists meanings, and we could never use the "It was just for fun excuse." It's like me saying I'm not being a racist if I call someone a "Beaner". It's the context of the word that makes it racist. |
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Ryan P
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The first findings of this word on paper are found in Spain. It is derived from the word griego (Greek) and refers to a foreigner speaking a language not understood by the locals. The whole thing about the green coats is a myth.
The word "gringo" was mentioned in Spanish literature as early as the eighteenth century. In his famous Diccionario, compiled prior to 1750, Terreros y Pando, a Spanish historian notes that "gringo" was a nickname given to foreigners in Malaga and Madrid who spoke Spanish with an accent. Maybe it sounded like gibberish.
The Mexican-American war didn't occur until 1846. |
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Heather
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doesn't it actually mean ignorant or something? |
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TOM P
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Gringo (feminine, gringa) is a term in the Spanish and Portuguese languages used in some countries of Latin America to refer to foreigners from different cultures, especially from the United States, but also from Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and elsewhere, including in some cases other countries of Latin America itself.
Some controversy exists regarding whether gringo is a derogatory term. The American Heritage Dictionary classifies the term as offensive slang.[1] The term gringo does lend itself to derogatory, paternalistic or endearing connotations sometimes, depending on the context and the intent of the user. The enunciation of the word can often give away whether it was meant in a derogatory manner or not. However it is sometimes used toward an American or other English-speaking person who makes little effort to communicate or does so without an accent, mostly in Spain. However, many native speakers who use it do not do so pejoratively. There is also some variation in the connotation of this word from country to country within Latin America. In many Latin American countries it is considered a racial slur.
Gee with a computer you can find all types of answers if you know how.....to do research. I typed wikipedia then gringo 15 letters and there is the answer and you used 44, time management is not your calling. |
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Yak Rider
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To answer your question, it's a word for foreigners that came from Spain.
It has nothing to do with "green uniforms." The US army wore blue uniforms during the Mexican-American war. The US army still wears blue dress uniforms. |
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jonn449
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Did you know that most Americans could care less what Mexicans call us? Or for that matter,most Americans could care less about Mexicans?
The Mexican Govt for years has been encouraging the illegal immigration, providing support, maps and other types of help. So we are supposed to give a rosey red rat's behind what Mexicans or their Govt think? |
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Alberto
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Actually Thomas is almost right. Because of the green military outfits worn since Mexica American war. Nothing derogatory or insulting. |
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Colonel
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I never knew the answer to this, but it seems it has something to do with our uniforms.
I've been called a gringo before, it does not offend me. |
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bdbbdb
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jesus! i think I actually learned something on here |
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whizzbangdood
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I thought it was that jammy stuff that you find between your toes when youve walked for 3 weeks in the same socks? but I could be wrong. |
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kukukachooinyourface
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I think its rich reading all you anglo Americans getting all pissy about foriegners like Mexicans??..their ancestors were here before all o yall fer krissakes!!!!
Pull yer heads in and realise that the sun dont shine out yo a.ss and it never did.......and it never will!!! |
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No Spam
Adult 
Gambling
Unfinished
Deception
Plagiarism
Not English
