CADIZ AND ITS LANGUAGE

In Spain, “guiri” refers to a tourist—someone who passes through and doesn’t return. The word originated in the 19th century during the Carlist Wars: the supporters of Queen Marie-Christine (the “cristinos”) were called “guiristinos” by the Basque Carlists, and later “guiri.” In Cádiz, being a “guiri” isn’t limited to foreigners: starting in San Fernando, […]

What does that word mean? There are several theories, some more far-fetched than others. Let’s look at two of them. Hypothesis 1: In the 19th century, a French family lived in Cádiz—the Sicourt sisters, dressed in Parisian fashion; a bit snobbish, too prim, and quickly becoming a laughingstock. Teasing them, the locals called out: “Si-Cur- Si-Cur Si-Cur-Si- Cur-Si…Cursi.” A metathesis for the

“Guachisnai” (pronounced “gouachinaïe”) is the Cadiz term for a foreigner. It cannot be found in Spanish dictionaries. The story goes that it comes from “What’s your name?”, the question asked by English merchants who landed in the Bay of Cádiz in the 19th century. Heard, twisted, and reimagined by the people of Cádiz, “What’s your name