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12 Spanish words that have completely changed their meaning over time

Diccionarios de la Real Academia Española Royal Spanish Academy, CC BY-SA 4.0

Words are not only created or unused, but often change their meaning over time, and there are even old words that are recycled with entirely new meanings.

Thanks to the Royal Spanish Academy's New Lexicographic Treasure, we can consult some 70 historical dictionaries online to see what words that are common today meant centuries ago. Stewardess, computer, light bulb, alien ... are some of the terms that our great-great-grandparents used with completely different meanings.

Avión (Aeroplane): in the 17th century it was a bird


'Aeroplanes' have been flying over our country since at least the 17th century, as we see in a clipping from the 1611 dictionary. But before the invention of aeroplanes, it was used for a bird also called a vencejo (swift). Today, in some Spanish regions, "avión" is still a bird, but from another family that also includes golondrinas (swallows).

The funny thing is that the plane that has a beak and the one that does not, although they are called the same, have different etymologies: according to the Real Academia Española (Royal Spanish Academy), the name of the bird comes from the Latin gavia, and the transport one comes from the French avion, and this from the Latin avis.

Azafata (Stewardess): the royal maid


Definition in 1726: Azafata (Stewardess) is a word that has been in Spanish for centuries. The first meaning of it was that of a lady who accompanied the queen, and she facilitated her assistance with a flat basket or tray called an "azafate".

With the advent of aviation, people who provided assistance to travellers (at first only women) were called with this word, while in Latin America they invented a new term: aeromoza (flight attendant).

Formidable (Formidable): something fearsome


Definition of "formidable" in 1732: Today if we say that something is "formidable" we mean that it is great. But the original definition of this word was used for "that which is very fearful and that instils wonder and fear." This still remains the definition in the current dictionary.

Semáforo (Traffic light): the fireflies club


Interestingly, before cars were invented, the word Semáforo (traffic light) already existed. In 1855 it appears in the dictionary as a zoological term: one who collects luminous insects, such as fireflies. It would not be until 1884 when another meaning was incorporated: that of "optical telegraph on the coasts to communicate with ships by means of signals": a beacon. The urban sign meaning would not appear in the RAE dictionary until the 1970 edition.

Ordenador (Computer): the one in charge


In 1706 we already found the word ordenador (computer) in the dictionary. And no, it is not that the agents of The Ministry of Time left a laptop there, but that it was the word to designate one who ordered.

Bombilla (Light Bulb): a straw to drink mate


In the middle of the 19th century, electricity was still not in the houses and there were decades until the electric light bulb was invented, but in 1846 the word bombilla already appears in the Salvá dictionary, since in Latin America it was used (and continues to be used) to name what in Spain we call a pajita (straw). The meaning we all know today would appear in the RAE dictionary in 1914. In the 1927 edition it even came with a drawing.

Alienígena (Alien): the opposite of indigenous


If today we say that we have met an alienígena (alien) in Spanish, we infer an Extraterrestrial being. But this word was created in the early 19th century to mean "foreigner," that is, the opposite of indigenous. Curiously, in [American] English alien still has that meaning, as all those who have learned this language well know with the song by Sting, Englishman in New York: "I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien, I'm an Englishman in New York."

Enchufar (Plug in): join two pipes


Another word that today we associate with electricity and that has a quite different origin. In the dictionary of 1852 they already plug in with the meaning of connecting two pipes.

Probably this meaning was transferred to electrical cables when this technology spread to homes, and it ended up being the main definition. The joining of two pipes is still present in the current definition.

Adolescencia (Adolescence): up to 25 years


In the 1770 dictionary the word adolescence appears with a meaning very similar to the current one, but its duration surprises us: up to 25 years!

Siesta: nap time (even if you don't sleep)


Nowadays, if we say "siesta", we all think about the little sleep after the mid-day meal. But the first meaning of this word was simply that time, whether you sleep, read or play, according to the dictionary in 1739. That is, what today in Spain we call "la hora de la siesta" (siesta time), although in Latin America this meaning is still in use as a period of time.

Asesino (Murderer): the one who betrays a friend


To assassinate has always meant killing someone, but before, Asesino, also had a rather shocking metaphorical meaning: if a friend lied or betrayed you, you could say that he had murdered you. "So-and-so is a murderer, as he has betrayed a friend of his."

Telégrafo (Telegraph): the previous version


The definition from the 1803 dictionary referred to the Optical telegraph, which used a semaphore system to transmit symbols from one hill to another. 

Ensalada campera (Country salad)

Ensalada campera - Country salad

Heralded as the "traditional gastronomy of the summer festivals", Ensalada campera, is a country or summer salad and each family has its own particular recipe. If you haven't inherited the formula from your family, try this version. 

Ingredients:

400 g of washed new potatoes
1 red onion
3 tomatoes
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
2 eggs
1 can of tuna or bonito in oil
10 pitted green olives
60 ml of extra virgin olive oil
15 ml of sherry vinegar
5 ml lemon juice
black pepper, salt and optional parsley.

Method:

Boil the potatoes with the washed eggs and remove the latter after about 9-12 minutes of cooking. Continue cooking the potatoes until they can be pierced with a knife. Drain and allow to cool until we can peel them. Remove the seeds from the peppers and cut into small cubes. Slice the onion finely and also chop the tomatoes. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl adding the olives and the potatoes, lightly season and mix. Prepare the vinaigrette by emulsifying the oil with the vinegar, then add the lemon. Serve the drained tuna or bonito, spreading it over the top, add the peeled and sliced eggs and adjust the seasoning as desired. Alternatively, if you dress the potatoes with the vinaigrette while they're still hot, before assembling the whole dish, they will take on much more flavour.

Public Holidays in Tenerife 2022


The Governing Council has approved the calendar of labour holidays for 2022. Specifically, the decree establishes, in application of state legislation, as non-working days, every Sunday of the year. Also the festive days of: 
  • January 1Año Nuevo (New Year)
  • January 6Epifanía del Señor (Epiphany of the Lord)
  • February 2 - Virgen de la Candelaria (Candlemas), in Tenerife
  • April 14Jueves Santo (Holy Thursday)
  • April 15Viernes Santo (Good Friday)
  • May 30 - Día de Canarias (Canary Islands Day)
  • August 15Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption of the Virgin)
  • October 12Fiesta Nacional de España (National Day of Spain)
  • November 1Todos los Santos (All Saints)
  • December 6Día de la Constitución Española (Spanish Constitution)
  • December 8Inmaculada Concepción (Immaculate Conception)
  • December 26 - in lieu, as Navidad (Christmas Day) is on Sunday
It also set the specific holiday for each island: February 2, the feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria, in Tenerife (included in the list above). The other islands are: August 5, Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, in La Palma; September 8, Nuestra Señora del Pino, in Gran Canaria; September 15, Nuestra Señora de los Volcanes, in Lanzarote and La Graciosa; September 16, Nuestra Señora de la Peña, in Fuerteventura; September 24, Nuestra Señora de los Reyes, in El Hierro, and October 3, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, in La Gomera. 

The calendar of holidays for 2022 does not include May 1, Fiesta del Trabajo (Workers’ Day), as the commemorative day already falls on a Sunday. 


Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 2003

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2003, Natalia Díaz Mesa

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2003 was Natalia Díaz Mesa, with "
Láquesis" (Lachesis), designed by Santi Castro, representing Centro Comercial Carrefour

In 2003, the court was made up as follows:

  1. 1st Maid of Honour: Silvia Fernández del Rosario, with “Partenope”, representing Grupo AC Bingo Colombófilo and designed by Juan Carlos Armas.
  2. 2nd Maid of Honour: Tamara Hernández Hernández, with “Crisálida” (Chrysalis), representing Almacenes El Kilo, by Octavio, Sergio y Daniel Hernández.
  3. 3rd Maid of Honour: María Toledo Rosa, with a costume entitled “Mauna-Loa”, representing Floristería Tin and designed by Juan Carlos Armas.
  4. 4th Maid of Honour: Victoria Cristina Mederos, with “Thais”, representing Barbacoa Tacoronte and designed by Expedita Hernández.
Theme of carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2003 was "The Far East". The Plaza de España was occupied by a Chinese temple in red. A papier-mâché sculpture of the Buddha was withdrawn after protests by the Buddhist community of Tenerife, who objected to a religious figure being used frivolously. The main streets of Santa Cruz were decorated red and gold, with Chinese lanterns.

Jumping the bonfire on the night of San Juan

Hoguera de San Juan Saint John bonfire in Fuenlabrada (Madrid, Spain). 
PhotoAyuntamiento de Fuenlabrada | Some rights reserved

This year, once more, the Hogueras de San Juan (Bonfires of Saint John), normally held on the Noche de San Juan (Saint John's Eve), the night of 23 June - are prohibited in almost the whole island of Tenerife, to avoid the massive crowds that would otherwise form. But what is this tradition all about?

Jumping over the bonfire symbolizes renewing energy after letting go of negativity that prevents progress. Some prefer to take less risk and jump over the waves on the shore. Another part of these rituals is burning a note, on which you write down the things you want to let go of and leave behind. 

After jumping or dancing around the fire (or jumping the waves), submerge yourself in the sea, if it's nearby, or, failing that, your feet in a container of water and salt. It means rebirth. This ritual should end with a prayer for humanity, with a wish for peace in the world, as well as an individual request for the rest of human beings, with the idea of ​​sharing the benefit that, according to these remote beliefs, is you will receive with these magical rites.

Decorated Fountains in Puerto de la Cruz

Chorros enramados, Puerto de la Cruz. Jose Mesa Some rights reserved

The one part of the Fiestas of San Juan in Puerto de la Cruz that was able to take place last year - so fingers crossed for this year - is the Chorros Enramados (Decorated Fountains) - similar to well dressing in England - which begins on the evening of 22 June each year, with the 23 June being the one and only day to view them. Immediately important when they were installed in the 19th Century, bringing indispensable water close to homes, as such, are celebrated.

Map of the fountains' locations | More images

The tradition of churros with chocolate

Churros con chocolate Toni Kaarttinen, CC BY 2.0

Churros con chocolate are a delicious tradition in our country. In La Laguna on Corpus Christi Day we love to get up in the morning and leave the house to go to the nearest churrería (churro shop, a place that sells churros). We can eat them there or we can take them home in the popular “cones” of paper. The tradition of eating churros con chocolate has been in our islands for years.

Contrary to how it may seem, the origin of churros is in China. Specifically ‘youtiao‘, a dish eaten for breakfast that consisted of strips of fried and salted dough. The expression translates to ‘demon fried in oil‘ and referred to Quin Hui, a Song dynasty official and his wife, who were considered ‘demons’ responsible for the death of a renowned general. How did it end up in Spain and becoming churros? It's said, the visits of Spanish and Portuguese merchants to China led them to the Iberian Peninsula. At first, it became a typical dish among poor people who worked in the fields. It's said that the name ‘churro’ is derived from the name of churra sheep, whose horns resembled the fried dough.

That's how the first churrerías were born. Later, and after the discovery of America, cocoa and sugar reached the Peninsula and were added to the dish. It went from being a shepherd's meal to a delicious delicacy sold in all the cities and traveling fairs. Today we can enjoy churros with chocolate anywhere.


And in case, like me, you're salivating: Easy Churros With Chocolate Sauce

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 2002

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2002, Lorena Díaz García

Carnival queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2002, chosen unanimously, was Lorena Díaz García with a costume entitled, "Alta temperatura" (High temperature), designed by Miguel Ángel Castilla and sponsored by the Centro Comercial del Mueble (Furniture Shopping Center).

In 2002, the court consisted:

  1. 1st Maid of Honour: Nuria María Gutiérrez, with “Arsinoe”, representing Grupo AC Bingo Colombófilo, designed by Juan Carlos Armas.
  2. 2nd Maid of Honour: Beatriz Díaz González, with a costume entitled “Inmensidad” (Immensity), representing Centro Comercial Santa Cruz - Carrefour and designed by Santi Castro.
  3. 3rd Maid of Honour: María del Cristo Sosvilla Pérez, with costume “Mata Hari”, representing El Corte Inglés and designed by Leo Martínez.
  4. 4th Maid of Honour: Yaiza Rueda Cabrera, with “Eféntia vitae”, representing Peña Salamanca, by Octavio, Sergio y Daniel Hernández.
Theme of carnival in 2002 was "The Roaring 20s". The scenery in the Plaza de España was decorated with motifs of that decade. The Eiffel Tower was featured, with the Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge behind it.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 2001

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2001, Silvia González Rodríguez

Carnival Queen 
in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2001 was Silvia González Rodríguez in a costume entitled, "Talismán" (Talisman) designed by Juan Pedro Quintero and representing Almacenes El Kilo.

In 2001, the court was made up as follows:

  1. 1st Maid of Honour: Natalia Padilla Jorgensen, with a costume entitled "Mitológico" (Mythological), representing Centro Comercial Santa Cruz - Carrefour and designed by Santi Castro.
  2. 2nd Maid of Honour: Neólida Hernández Martín (Queen in 2006), with a costume entitled "Como un rayo de luz" (Like a ray of light), representing newspaper "El Baúl" and designed by Leo Martínez.
  3. 3rd Maid of Honour: Yaiza Díaz Sánchez, with a costume entitled "El color de la oscuridad" (The color of darkness), representing Centro Comercial del Mueble and designed by Miguel Ángel Castilla Abreu.
  4. 4th Maid of Honour: Ana María Pérez Meneses (Queen in 2005), with "Estudio 54. Las libertades" (Study 54. Freedoms), representing Grupo AC Bingo Colombófilo and designed by Juan Carlos Armas.
The theme of carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2001 was Space Odyssey: A spaceship was the main feature of the stage at the Plaza de España.

Quesadilla from El Hierro

Quesadilla from El Hierro

Quesadilla herreña, or quesadilla from El Hierro, is a typical and artisan pastry from the island of El Hierro. At the beginning of the 20th century, the family that owns the bakery Adrián Gutiérrez e Hijas (and daughters) created this dessert, a tradition continued to the present day. Generally shaped like a flower, the main ingredient is the Herreño cheese (raw white goat’s cheese from El Hierro)

Ingredients:

1 kg Herreño Cheese
3 eggs
250 gr Flour
1/2 kg. Sugar
Matalahúva (anise)
Lemon
Cinnamon

Method

Place the cheese in a food processor and process. Next, add the eggs, a little anise, the lemon zest, and the sugar. Stir and knead everything until you get a paste, then add the flour little by little while continuing to knead. Add a little cinnamon to taste (if desired).

Taking moulds (if possible, the typical shape: flower or star), flour or grease them and cover them with a fine layer of puff pastry. Then, take portions of dough and place them in the moulds on top of the pastry. Also, instead of putting them in individual moulds, it can be done in a large one, and if you do not have puff pastry, then you can grease the mould and pour in the dough directly. 

Bake the quesadillas at 180º - 190º for 50 minutes until golden. 

Quesadilla herreña

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 2000

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2000, Shaila Martín Ramos

Carnival Queen in the first year of the new millennium was Shaila Martín Ramos in a costume entitled, 'Manila Yerichana', designed by Juan Carlos Armas Febles and representing rum brand, Ron Santa Teresa. Shaila sadly died in 2003, at the age of 19. (The news report did not specify the cause.)

In 2000, the court consisted of:

  1. 1st Maid of Honour: Luna Quintero Montico, with a costume entitled "Rumbo a las estrellas" (Heading to the stars), representing Centro Comercial Alcampo - La Laguna and designed by Leo Martínez.
  2. 2nd Maid of Honour: Tamara Hernández Hernández, with a costume entitled "Eterna" (Eternal), representing Cinco Océanos and designed by David J. Díaz Medina.
  3. 3rd Maid of Honour: Silvia Lozano Medina, with a costume entitled "Alejandría" (Alexandria), representing Grupo AC Bingo Colombófilo and designed by Frank Romero.
  4. 4th Maid of Honour: Ainara Machín Martín, with a costume entitled "Alma llanera" (Llanera soul), representing Almacenes El Kilo and designed by Leovid Canarias.

The theme of carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2000 was Pirates. A pirate galleon was the centrepiece of the scenery, surrounded by palm trees, islands, beaches and waves.

Tenerife in June 2021

This year's design for the Corpus Christi carpet in La Orotava

June does not have any Public Holidays, but there are some days where there will be closures of shops and offices at individual municipality level, which are: 
  • 10 June: Infraoctava of Corpus Christi in La Orotava
  • 14 June: Festivity of San Antonio de Padua in Granadilla de Abona
  • 24 June: Festivity of San Juan in Garachico, Guía de Isora, Los Silos and San Juan de la Rambla
  • 29 June: Festivity of San Pedro Apóstol in El Sauzal and Güímar
The first of those on Thursday 10 June 2021, is for what would, under normal circumstances, be one of the month's biggest events, the Día de las Alfombras (Day of the Carpets) for Corpus Christi in La Orotava. Last year's had to be cancelled, but his year there will be a sand carpet made in the square in front of the Town Hall in La Orotava. The design, will be somewhat smaller than usual to leave space for two rugs made with flowers. This year again we will not see the carpeted streets full of people and no procession. 

Granadilla de Abona is to celebrate its festivities in honor of San Antonio de Padua and Nuestra Señora del Rosario after two years. Events take place from June 4 to 13. Mayor, José Domingo Regalado, and the councillor for Culture and Festivities, Eudita Mendoza, presented a program where the orchestras of the municipality: Panamay and Scorpio, will star in a video to be broadcast at 8:00 p.m. on the 4th - via social media.

On Saturday, the 5th, the XXXIII Feria de Artesanía (33rd Handicraft Fair) opens, in addition to an exhibition of photographs of previous romerías in various squares of the historic centre of the town.

The craft fair is scheduled to take place this year, on June 5 and 6, in the Plaza San Antonio de Padua. Hours are 10:00 to 20:00 on Saturday 5th and from 09:00 to 14:00 on Sunday 6th. Although there will be no romería, on June 6, at 8:00 p.m., a folkloric offering will take place to San Antonio de Padua by the soloists and dancers of the municipality, the Viñátigo and Parranda Chasnera Folkloric Groups. On the 11th, at 9:00 p.m., a virtual gala for the election of the Queen of the Festivals will take place. And on Sunday, the 13th, a floral offering will travel through the main streets of the town. 

Las fiestas patronales retornan con actividad presencial y virtual

Thursday 17 June 2021, the Mercado de Artesanía del Príncipe (Crafts Market), opens to the public in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, now that conditions allow. The fair, in the Plaza del Príncipe, will be open until June 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with a break from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. In this market, 38 artisans, who had already been selected for the Three Kings Fair will participate, who will offer the visiting public 21 artisan modalities, among them: dolls, enamels, traditional costumes, macramé, modelling, recycling, bookbinding, jewellery, soap, ceramics, fabrics, leather goods, paper and cardboard, dressmaking and crochet, in addition to the traditional cigars and pottery and cutlery. 


The best wool fair, baa none (couldn't resist) will take place on June 26 and 27 at the Pinolere Ethnographic Park

The VIII Festival de Lana de Canarias (Canary Islands Wool Festival) will be held for the first time in the Pinolere Ethnographic Park, in La Orotava, on June 26 and 27 and will bring together more than 50 artisans, entities and specialized companies. This appointment with sheep and wool crafts began on Monday 21 with several virtual meetings, but will have its main attraction in the face-to-face exhibition. There will be capacity control, but access is free and it will not be necessary to reserve tickets. The enclosure will open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will allow you to learn about all the stages of the wool process, from sheep breeding to wool handling, and discover different handicraft activities and the textile process.

Tenerife Land of Eternal Christmas

Sunbathing SantaDesert Island ChristmasScuba Diving SantaTropical Santa
Santa's Having a Whale of a TimeSurfing SantaWaterski SantaCamel Rodeo Santa
With a wide range of products in each design, click the pics (above) to see the full selections.