this post was submitted on 03 Jun 2024
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I’ve been told the origin of the word “gringo” comes from somewhere in Latin America, the people telling US soldiers to leave: “green” (the color of the uniforms), and “go”. That one seems topical but it’s unlikely many Americans will get in a huff over it, not really seen as a “bad” word.
Since I’m an American, I’m trying to think of words that the typical trooper would get offended at (but also not problematic). “Bubba” kinda works. Soldiers are also suuuper sensitive about the possibility that some other guy is screwing their wife back in the US, so maybe some Norwegian word that plays off that could work.
Edit: Also, American soldiers really get off on the idea that they are superior to normal Americans. Only natural, given how deeply Americans lick their boots. Maybe you can pick the most boring, normal “American” name you can think of like “Kevin” and call all of them that. I think that would get under their skin.
A Mexican taxi driver once told me that "gringo" came from "green go" as well, but his explanation was that once you get your green card, you go. He definitely joking, of course, but interesting that there are two versions of the "green go" etymology.