The word "egg"

Hola! Many years ago my husband worked on a chicken ranch in Southern California. As you might imagine the word "huevo" was used extensively, until one day one of the men from Mexico informed my husband that due to the negative connotations of the word, in polite company the word "blankito" (sp?) was used to refer to an egg. Although I have not been able to download the lessons as of yet, the few PDF files which I have been able to gain access to have no reference to this formal name. I would appreciate input from the members as to the usage of these words. Thank you in advance Beverly

I can't find anything on the net where egg and blankito are related. But then, "men pick up chicks" too, and I don't see the relationship between chickens and girls Antonio

I think the word you're referring to may be *blanquillo*. My Babylon Pro dictionary defines it this way: *blanquillo (m) n. white, white part of something (i.e of an egg, of a printed page, of the eye); (Central America) egg; (Andean and Southern Cone) white peach; (Southern Cone and Caribbean) whitefish, any of various edible fish having whitish flesh * I found the word by looking up "egg" in the free online dictionary *Word Magic*: __http://www.wordmagicsoft.com/dictionary/tools/index.php__. It listed blanquillo as a synonym of huevo. The free online slang dictionary *Jergas de Habla Hispana *at __http://www.jergasdehablahispana.org/__ said this: *blanquillo* (Guatemala) (m.) usado en el occidente del país como sinónimo de huevo. Si vas a la tienda, te encargo una docena de blanquillos. dialecto *blanquillo* (México) (m.) usado en algunas partes del país como sinónimo de huevo. Voy a la tienda a comprar la leche y una docena de blanquillos. dialecto I hope this helps.

nohablo,...you are a star :) Antonio

Hola: Thank you both for responding. I will assume that from your lack of comments neither one of you would be embarassed to use the word huevo in "polite" company? My husband did learn some other words on the chicken ranch, however, I think there is no need to discuss them here. (LOL) Thanks again, Beverly

No, I wouldn't hesitate to use the word "huevos" in polite company, though I probably wouldn't use certain slang expressions that use "huevos" to mean "balls" (e.g., *tener huevos* meaning to have balls, to be brave, gutsy). There are MANY words and expressions in Spanish that can be innocent in one place and vulgar in another. The verb *coger* is a famous example. Another example is the word *pendejo*, which is vulgar in Mexico (where it means a--hole), but in Argentina it simply refers to children. So it's possible that there are places where one shouldn't use the word huevos at all in polite company, but I'm not familiar with these places.

I think it will terribly clear from context how you're using the word "huevos", so don't be nervous about using the word in polite company. Although if you're in the super market you might want to ask "¿Hay huevos?" as opposed to "¿Tiene huevos?", which could lead to several jokes and perhaps a little embarrassment on the behalf of both parties. :lol: This is an interesting thread. I had never heard the word "blanquillos" before.

LOL, I like that... ¿tiene huevos?...jajaja...Definitely use "hay" I always though that as long as it was clear you were talking about eggs, you would be fine using the word huevos... Actually while talking about "Huevos", my cousin sent me a link to some funny cartoons in spanish.. although I must warn you, they can be a little rude (and drunk), it would test your understanding of the language,... just google "Huevos Poetas"... I also recommend the clip "Brandy huevo totote" Again, they are funny, but can be a little rude... no offence intended. Salud, Mauricio.

My book, "Spanish Lingo for the Savvy Gringo" by Elizabeth Reid, MA, DRe states in the appendix of slang terms: "Huevos is another complex Mexican term. The word means "eggs", but the reference to "balls" is so strong that you have to watch out using the word at all. Polite girls would probably order "blanquillos" from a male waiter. There are a raft of egg/balls puns and jokes." Nancy