Monday, January 4, 2010

Reventón, reventar y reven

These three words are vertebrae of Chilango slang's spinal chord. Reventón (reh-venn-TON) literally means big burst. It is used in reference to a party, but a real one, not a gathering or a dinner party, but an actual party with liquor, music, a dance floor, DJs or live music, etc., that often extends well into the next day. Reventar (lit. to burst) and ir de reventón (lit. to go in burst) both mean to party in such fashion. Reven is just the shortened version of reventón. None of these terms are insulting.

Example:

Abuelita: ¿Qué pasó? ¿Por qué vienes como huevo de perro?
Nieto: Nada abue, vengo llegando del reventón. Hazme un paro con unos chilaquiles bien picosos, ¿no?

Granny: What happened that you look aweful?
Grand daughter: Nothing, granny, I'm just coming back from the party. Could you help me out and fix some very spicy chilaquiles?

Chilaquiles are the quintessential remedy for a dreadful hangover.



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