gringo

[gring-goh]

noun

Slang: Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive.

plural

gringos 

1. a term used in Latin America or Spain to refer to a foreigner, especially one of U.S. or British descent (often used facetiously).

gringo

/ ˈɡrɪŋɡəʊ /

noun

1. a person from an English-speaking country: used as a derogatory term by Latin Americans

gringo

1. In Latin America, a foreigner, especially a North American or Englishman; usually a term of contempt.

Sensitive Note

Use of this term implies that the foreigner is an outsider who does not understand or respect Hispanic culture or does not treat Hispanics well. However, gringo is often used consciously for humorous effect, without intent to offend.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gringo¹

First recorded in 1840–50; from Spanish: literally, “foreign language, foreigner, especially an English-speaking one who speaks Spanish poorly”; often pejorative; probably alteration of griego “Greek, incomprehensible language”; compare English “It's Greek to me,” first recorded in English in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (1599). The English and Spanish come from the Latin Graecum est; non legitur, “It's Greek; it isn't read” (either because the Greek was incomprehensible or because it was possibly heretical), supposedly dating from medieval monastic scriptoria. The belief that this word is from the song “Green Grow the Lilacs,” popular during the U.S.-Mexican War, is without substance. Greek

Word History and Origins

Origin of gringo¹

C19: from Spanish: foreigner, probably from griego Greek, hence an alien

Example Sentences

It’s not surprising that casting Californios as victims of rapacious gringos might offend him or his lackeys.

From Los Angeles Times

I knew at that moment I wasn’t letting this gringo go.

From Los Angeles Times

“The reality is that, with or without gringos, housing in Mexico has become enormously more expensive,” Viri Ríos, a political scientist, wrote in El País newspaper.

From Los Angeles Times

“I want to remind the gringo: I didn’t cross the border, the border crossed me,” the lyrics rang out.

From Los Angeles Times

The taunts of “No way, José!” followed Ralat throughout his childhood in North Carolina — the same line his father had heard from gringos in 1960s New York.

From Los Angeles Times