Olá pessoal.

Last week we learned some expressions related to nationalities and places, now this week why not take a look at some expressions that came from historical events:

1. Rodar a baiana – to make a scene, to react strongly to a situation in a rude way, usually involving shouting.

Exemplo: Maria rodou a baiana porque seu filho não foi bem na prova. – Maria made a scene because her son didn’t do well in the test.

Origem: during Carnaval in the beginning of the 20th century, some men used to touch women inappropriately when they were dancing. Women from Bahia (baianas) started getting other men who knew capoeira do defend them in case this happened to them. Some people thought the baianas were over reacting and started referring to it as the “roda da baiana” (baiana circle).

2. Santo do pau oco – literally “hollow saint”, a person who is dishonest and untrustworthy but can hide it very well.

Exemplo: Larissa trai o marido dele e ele ainda acredita nas mentiras dela. Ela é uma sata do pau oco. – Larissa cheats on her husband and he still believes her lies, she can hide it very well.

Origem: mining was big in Minas Gerais during the colonial period and the Portuguese Crown taxed the gold at 20%. Brazilians then started hiding extra gold so they wouldn’t have to pay such high taxes. They found a way to get the gold from the mines without the Portuguese noticing by making images of saints from wood, which would be hollow inside. The miners would then put the gold (in powder) into the saint to transport it safely.

Photo by SantaRosa

3. Ficar a ver navios – literally “to be left to watch the ship coming back”, it means to get frustrated, disappointed.

Exemplo: Gustavo disse que ia à festa e não foi. Márcia que estava esperando por ele ficou a ver navios. – Gustavo said he was going to the party but he didn’t show up. Márcia who was waiting for him was very frustrated and disappointed.

Origem: during the Portuguese discoveries, relatives of the seamen who went on journeys to try to find new lands would go up a hill in Lisbon hoping they would see a ship coming back so they could see their loved ones again. It was very frustrating and disappointing for them watching the sea for hours and not seeing a single ship.

There is a song by Chico Buarque which has the expression “A ver navios” in it. It is called “Madalena foi pro mar”. Check it out:

That’s all for this week.

Espero que tenham gostado! I hope you guys enjoyed it!