Laurence Dollimore
IT’S no secret that Andalucia is one of the most expressive and culturally diverse regions in Spain.
The mainland’s southernmost autonomous community is the home of flamenco and boasts thousands of years of history with Christian, Catholic and Moorish roots.
This has gifted the Andalucian people with a melting pot of accents and expressions – including some very enjoyable insults.
Below are just 10 of the many fun expressions any foreigner living in the region should have in their arsenal.
Tontopollas
An absolute idiot, a person who goes beyond the basic definition of a fool. In English terms, an absolute moron.
Fartusco
This term is mostly used in Cordoba and describes someone who is arrogant or boastful and who interrupts a conversation to make it about them – in other words a show off.
Jartible
Someone who is exhausting, annoying or tiresome. The English equivalent of a pain in the backside. It comes from ‘hartible’, which arises from the verb ‘hartar’, to be fed up.
The term was born in Cadiz but has spread throughout the region.
Fullero
Someone who is a cheat or a trickster, or generally a troublemaker.. It is often used against people who cheat at cards or board games.
Farfollas
Someone who shows no credibility or consistency when speaking on a topic, despite their attempts to appear legit. In other words a phoney.
Carajote
Someone who is very annoying or stupid. Basically an idiot.
Esaborio
Someone who lacks a sense of humour or struggles to get excited by anything. Basically a wet lettuce.
Cagueta
A coward, someone who is always scared and never dares to take a risk. In other words, a big chicken.
Malaje
A malicious, nasty, obnoxious person. In English terms, a nasty piece of work.
Papafrita
Used to describe someone who is unproductive, lazy or distracted – although it is said among friends and loved ones.
It is also used as a nickname and is common in Huelva and Cadiz, although its use has spread throughout the region.
The origin is unknown but it could be related to someone who consumes a lot of French fries, and therefore, is attributed to being a little careless or lazy.
