Introduction

Germanía is the slang or cant words used by the Iberian underworld (especially in Seville, the "gentes de la hampa", "gente de carda", "gente de uña", etc.) primarily during the sixteenth century and thereafter. This is to be distinguished from archaic words used in Iberia (Seville). The vocabulary of Germanía is mostly archaic, but many of these words continue to be used at the present time.

The Germanía vocabulary is analogous to the slang ("Flash") used in Victorian England and especially in London (although used both before and after this time period), and found in the written œuvre of Charles Dickens.#

Germanía was also used by important Iberian literary figures such as Miguel de Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Luis Vélez de Guevara, Francisco de Lugo y Dávila and others.

As with "Flash", Germanía can at times be very crude. The people of the underworld didn't speak the often pretentious language of the King and the nobility. One should bear in mind that the impoverished lower classes, slaves, convicts, and religious outcasts (Jews, Moslems, Gypsies, Lutherans, etc.) didn't create the society they found themselves in. If Germanía is graphically crude or even repulsive, it was the everyday reality of the Iberian people.%

This brief dictionary of Germanía is not complete; there are many words not included here. The references provide a wider vocabulary as well as contextual information that can be useful to readers interested in additional information.

# The restrictions under which the Spanish underworld operated, sometimes brought them into contact with the underworld communities of other countries. For example, since tobacco products were tightly controlled by the Spanish Crown, tobacco products were smuggled in from France to Spain through the Navarre land corridor. It would seem that underworld Germanía terms like "rapé" (defined below) were likely used by the French underworld as well. One might learn more about Germanía by looking at the speech of the French underworld. (See Eric Partridge, "The Routledge Dictionary of Historical Slang", Routledge, 1973, Sixth Edition.)

% Not everyone who spoke non-standard Spanish was a member of the underworld. Moriscos (Moslems forced to convert to Christianity) retained their own language, algarabía, in Seville. They also used a "distorted" Spanish; perhaps like the English dialects found in Dickens. This way of speaking allowed communication amongst themselves, while preventing comprehension by the surrounding Old Christians. (See Ruth Pike, "Aristocrats and Traders", Cornell University Press, 1972, p. 162, footnote 15.) The language of the Moriscos will not be discussed.



Germanía to English

Abispones, Avispones Literally, "hornet"; scouts who hover around the city during the day to search for houses that can be broken into at night. Thieves organized similarly as Merchant guilds or brotherhoods, with consuls (leaders) and depositories for stolen goods. These thief guilds had regulations that divided up streets and territories, with a person responsible for all theft in that territory. All booty was divided; the thief shared equally with the chieftan; his accomplices received one-third, and look-outs (postas) and scouts (abispones) one-fifth. A portion of all thefts was set aside for "benefactors" who included 'the lawyer who defends us, the constable who tips us off, and the executioner who shows us mercy'.
Abadejo Ugly low-class prostitute; she resembles a gusaropa (water worm, an aquatic insect).
Abaníco soplón A snitch.
Abejón, jugar de Mock someone, treat them with contempt. See also estornudo.
Abigeo Cattle-thief, or rustler. ("Rustler": still used today, in Mexico.) See also Almiforero.
Abocadar Steal or burgle.
Aliviador A thief to whom stolen goods are handed off, during the course of a robbery. The first thief allows themselves to be apprehended while the second thief makes off with the stolen goods, which are thus preserved. See also Decir los hurtos.
Alivio de caminantes Highwayman. See also Tropelero.
Alma Prostitute's client; a "John".
Almiforero Horse or mule thief. See also Abigeo.
Ángel de la guarda Protector of criminals and pimps
Aprensar Germanía metaphor for "the torment of the rack" (an ancient Roman instrument of torture). See also primera estrena, tormento de toca.
Artifero Baker.
Babilonia Seville.
Bajacerrero Thief who steals low or menial things in the market, such as fruits and vegetables.
Bajamanero Thief who enters a store and creates a distraction to protect a second thief, who commits a robbery. See trulla.
Barrio de la cintura Red-light district. See also Partido.
Bodego Tavern
Bogavante Officer of the galley.
Boticas Small shacks in Seville (brothels).
Buenas boyas, buenas boyas forzados (Singular: buenaboya) Forzados whose sentences had been completed, but who were retained (illegally) because they were still needed (due to a shortage of galeotes). "Buenas boyas" were paid.
Buscón Someone who steals out of meanness.
Buzo de faltrigueras Purse-snatcher; same as cicatero.
Cacao Not worth anything. Germania metaphor derived from cacao (cocoa), which was talked about in the Iberian states but rarely seen; thus, its existence was disbelieved. (In the 1641 story 'Gitanilla', Miguel de Cervantés wrote, "We don't believe in cacao.")
Cantar To confess a crime, possibly also incriminating others; see Músico
Capeador, Capear Cape snatcher.
Carcavera Prostitute who works in the gullies.
Carda, hombre de la A card-playing man. (Implication: card sharp or cheat.)
Cardador Thief who uses a perch to effect a robbery.
Cardailor Thief who uses a hangar or perch to carry out thefts.
Cartujo Cuckold; same as cornudo.
Casa de gula Cheap eatery for undesirables.
Chulo Ruffian (still in use today).
Chusma The rowing force of a galley; those who were not too young, or injured, or too old to row.
Cicatero Purse-snatcher; same as buza de faltrigueras.
Cigarrero Purse-snatcher who steals at balls, churches, and public banquets.
Cómitre A foreman who used a whip to lash galley oarsman to increase speed while a ship was under attack or in a storm.
Cornudo Cuckold; same as cartujo.
Cortabolsas Cut-purses.
Crujía The long, narrow central corridor at the midship gangway of a galley. The building at the mercury mine at Almadén that housed the slaves and forzados who worked there, used the crujía as its architectural model.
People sentenced to work at Almadén (Almadén was a mercury mine; mercury was used to purify or extract silver, and is extremely toxic). Almadén was considered to be a terrestrial galley. The building constructed to house the slaves and forzados had a specific architecture: "The interior of this edifice was designed in the form of a galley, with a long narrow central corridor in imitation of the midship gangway (crujía) with the bunks of the inmates located on either side like the benches on galleys. At night the men were chained to their bunks just as oarsmen were attached to their benches." By the 18th century the term crujía referred to this edifice.
   The galera, a penal institution for women, was also modeled after the galleys.
Cuaterero Galeote of the fourth bench, considered even lower than a tercerol (galeote of the third bench)
Damas de medio manto Ladies of the half-mantle (prostitutes).
   As an aid to police officers enforcing regulations concerning prostitutes, there were dress regulations. Prostitutes were not permitted to wear hats, gloves, mantles, or slippers, but only half-mantles (modern-day mantillas). It was not difficult to recognize prostitutes because "[a]ge and defects were concealed by heavy makeup and the skillful use of cosmetics and dyes ... dyed hair ... false teeth ... Painted faces, rouged lips and bosoms painted with ceruse [white powder]..."
   The half-mantles worn by the damas were originally yellow; in the sixteenth century, the mantles had to be black. The half-mantles had to be worn at all times, except when in church. (Note: Prostitutes were required to attend church on Sundays and feast days, when the brothels were closed. During Lent, special strong efforts were made to convert them.) (See Pike, "Aristocrats and Traders", pp. 208-209.)
Decir los hurtos Literally, "admit the pickpocketing". The phrase may originate from the practice of pickpocketing in pairs, where one thief passes the stolen goods to the other thief, then allows himself to be caught as a diversion. The first thief is apprehended, and admits he stole, but the second thief, and the merchandise, gets away. See also Aliviador.
Devotos Thieves who despoiled religious images.
Duendes Sneak thieves.
En cadena At the rower's bench, where galeotes were chained to each other, and chained to the bench itself (cadena meant "chained in series"). Galeotes who needed medical treatment were generally treated en cadena because it was too much trouble to unchain them.
Encierros Dirty, unventillated vaults where prisoners who had already made their confessions (under torture, or spontaneously) were kept.
   "Most Spanish jails were constructed with patios equipped with fountains and running water in the center and corridors for shade. Near the fountains were convenient stone troughs where the inmates washed their clothes.
   "On the negative side, debtors in Spanish jails were not segregated from criminal prisoners, as they were in many other countries. All inmates, regardless of age, record, or type of offense, were kept together. The only separation was between those who had made their declarations and confessed, and those who had yet to do so. The latter were confined together in dirty, unventilated vaults (encierros). Frequently, those who persisted in protesting their innocence were laden with chains and placed in solitary confinement in grilleros (cages) until they had a change of heart." (Pike, Penal Servitude, p. 58)
Entretenido Thief who uses ladders.
Escabón (1) A grillo (cage) in jail.
(2) The bench of the galeotes.
Escalador Jester.
Escarramár A "dandy". Escarramárs dressed in silk with many ornaments; wore big mustaches that tickled their ears; large-brimmed hats with two crimson bandanas; cloth gloves; and carried a sword and hooked dagger.
Escribano A galeote who was a master at writing on the water with his oar.
Espía A lookout; see also postas.
Espumas, batir To beat the foam. Originally this meant being sentenced to the galleys ("In April I will go to beat the foam"). When the galleys were gone, the expression lingered as a way of saying you were going to be sent to jail, similar to an American anticipating that they will soon be stamping license plates.
Esquero Purse of money.
Esquifada Gang of thieves or thugs.
Esquilmón Thief who steals small quantities, petty thief.
Esquilón Jar of wine.
Estadistas Cuckold jealous of his reputation.
Estado Tavern or inn.
Estafa A thief who has been defrauded by another thief (see estafador).
Estafador The hooligan who defrauds another thief (see estafa).
Estiracuellos Gallows.
Estornudo Customary sidewalk jeer, directed at Negros. (This custom was referred to in Lope de Vega's Servir a señor discreto.) See also jugar de abejón.
Estrecha A prostitute who claims to be a virgin
Estrena, primera The first turn of the screw (the beginning of torture or garrotting). See also aprensar, tormenta de toca.
Fanfarone Charlatan.
Farfante Braggart.
Fazo Nose handkerchief.
Finisbusterrae The "final blow" from which no prisoner can escape (such as the gallows).
Flor Someone who cheats at cards by stacking the deck.
Flor, Gente de Way of life of villain and hooligans, thieves, and crooks.
Flor de aduana A con game.
Flor de la canela The most elite of the ruffians.
Floraíneros Card sharps.
Flores Card cheat or crook at some form of gambling.
Forzado People considered to be convicted of a crime, initially used as galeotes or at Almadén mercury mine. For some insight on what it meant to be a forzado, see en depósitos, where it is clear that it was not necessary to have actually committed a crime, to be convicted of one.
Fullero Crook, cheat.
Gavillas# A gang of slaves or forzados, brought in chains to the galleys or the Almadén mercury mine.
Gelfe Negro slave (see also Xelfe).
Germanía The language of the underworld, commonly referred to among them as "the chatter". "Germanía" originated in Catalan; "Hermanía" originated in Valencia. As gypsies were regarded by civilian society as thieves, "the chatter" included several gypsy terms.
Golpe A targeted illegal action, such as a theft or a con (literally, a "blow", or a "hit" on a "mark"), or the object of that action occurring. Examples: golpes at a brothel, potential customers of the prostitutes; golpes at a gambling den who can be targeted by card sharps; the golpe who is targeted for a beating by a thug who is paid to hurt him (the blows themselves also "golpes"). Same as Tabagada.
Grilleros Small cages (barred cells) where prisoners who had not yet made their confessions (under torture, or spontaneously) were kept in solitary confinement.
Grumetes (gatos) (1) A burglar who robs through windows.
(2) A boy or slave of the galley, who climbs the ship's mast.
When there are obstacles to thefts that a grumete is expected to overcome due to his size or agility; such as climbing through windows or passing through vents, chimneys, etc.
Gruñidor Pig-thief.
Guimara, Guimarra Prostitute; derived from "Gomarra" (the Biblical town of Gomorrah).
Guzpátaro A thief who drills a hole in a wall or window, in order to access goods to be stolen from the other side of the wall or possibly admit a child or a small adult, who can access those goods.
Hampa Underworld.
Hermanía See Germanía.
Hernán Cortés Facial lesions of syphillis. Syphillis was generally thought to originate in the New World, and brought back to Spain by those who had sailed with Hernán Cortés. See also:
http://www.esthermlederberg.com/EImages/Extracurricular/Dickens Universe/Victorian Hairdressing/HarlotsProgress Plate2 detail.html
Hija Prostitute. (Word still in use today.)
Hombres de mudanzas House-moving men (removalists) who know their way in and out of every property in the city, and which ones may be of use and which ones may not: to be stolen from, to store stolen goods, or to use as a "safe house".
Horizonte "What's done is done" (literally, "under the horizon").
Hornecino Misbegotten son (implication: born out of wedlock).
Jácaros, jacarandina Thugs, ruffians, bullies or thieves.
Lechuza A thief who only works in the dark.
Lora Mulatto.
Llovidos A raindrop (literally). A prostitute as a female stowaway on one of the ships, upon whom one "showers" gifts like raindrops to obtain favours.
Pérez-Mallaína, Pablo E.; "Spain's Men of the Sea: Daily Life on the Indies Fleets in the Sisteenth Century", Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 1998, pp. 166, 169
Madre Brothel manager, or "madam".
Mancebía Brothel, or house of prostitution. Just as there were statutes about how prostitutes had to dress in public, there were also statutes about brothels (though rarely enforced). One statute said that brothels had to exclude mulatto women.
Mandilada A group of ruffians. (Literally, "an apronful".)
Mandilete A prostitute or public woman, or servant of a pimp; literally, "door of the porthole of a battery". (Naval)
Mantón Recently-married man.
Marcador An accomplice who marks the houses to be robbed.
Marcas godeñas Good-looking young prostitutes.
Marigalleta, Marión Effeminate man.
Mayordomos Burglars who steal provisions. (Military)
Mazamorra Vegetable stew fed to galeotes.
Mercíador Thief.
Monfí Violent thieves.
Montambanco A mountebank; someone who sells fake medicines, as from a platform in public places, attracting and influencing an audience by tricks, storytelling, etc.
Morcillo Negro.
Mujeres pasantes Older prostitutes with many offices (trades).
Mulatesea Band of mulatto thugs.
Mundana Average prostitute.
Muoercilla Prostitute.
Murcíar Petty thief, robber.
Musico A prisoner who confesses a crime; see Cantar.
Naipe To "fix" a deck of cards to prepare for a con.
Padres de la mancebía Brothel-keepers.
Partido (1) The "red light" district; see also barrio de la cintura
(2) A "shell game" played with cards (card trick); see also valenciana
Pendencia Troublemaker, ruffian or pimp.
Pendón verde Literally, "Green banner"; hooligan bullies of the underworld.
Pensionaría A pimp's prostitute.
Percha Brothel.
Picador A thief who picks locks.
Pícara Prostitute, scamp; a woman who will come to no good. (See picaro.)
Picardía Concerning the life of the rogue.
Pícaro Thug, ruffian, pimp, vagabond; a man who will come to no good. Example: Pícaro de costa (thug or pimp who prowls the beaches), Pícaro de la marina (thugs who prowls the beaches), etc.
Pícarón A very great rogue; same as pícaronayo.
Pícaronayo A very great rogue; same as pícarón.
Pícaros Vagabonds, beggars.
Postas Lookout for thieves involved in a theft. See also espía.
Puta honesta "Honest prostitute"; a discreet prostitute with a limited clientele.
Putillo Sodomite (passive).
Puto Sodomizer.
Puturazana Prostitute.
Rabicaliente Prostitute.
Ramazote Heavy, rustic, coarse man.
Ramera Prostitute.
Rancho A place where ruffians or thieves gather.
Rapé Snuff. Tobacco products were tightly controlled by the Spanish Crown. Thus a lively business arose whereby tobacco products were smuggled in from France to Spain through the Navarre land corridor. It would seem that underworld Germanía terms like "rapé" were likely used by the French underworld as well. One might learn more about Germanía by looking at the speech of the French underworld. (See Eric Partridge, "The Routledge Dictionary of Historical Slang", Routledge, 1973, Sixth Edition.)
Ratero A thief who steals something of little value.
Ratón Cowardly thief (rat, or sneak thief).
Robaina Stolen goods.
Rufos Ruffians, thugs, bullies, pimps.
Saladera A prostitute who works at the docks (literally "at the trap-netting").
Saltabardales Low-class prostitute.
Salteadores Violent thieves (who assault their victims).
Sana potras Curing syphillis. Used as an expression of futility: "You might just as well try to cure syphillis."
Segador Thief (person who practices cheating or stealing for a living) or a trickster: 'one who lives the uneasy life'.
Seguidillas Prostitute; also, African dance form later known as the sarabande, associated with licentiousness.
Sellenca Old and dirty prostitute.
Sicatero Cut-purse.
Sisador Petty thief.
Socorrida Prostitute.
Sollastre The servant of the lowest category in the kitchen; "Kitchen rascal".
Sométíco Sodomite.
Sota Discarded woman or prostitute; derived from jota, a popular Aragonese dance.
Sufridora Working prostitute.
Surrar Rob, pillage.
Tabagada Blow (as in hitting or colliding); A targeted illegal action, such as a theft or a con (literally, a "blow", or a "hit" on a "mark"), or the actual physical act committed. See golpe.
Tabanco Tavern or inn for the low class or criminals.
Tabanquero One who runs a low inn or tavern.
Tabaquina Hucksters selling the latest snuffboxes (tobacco).
Tenquedo Syphillis.
Tercerol Galleote of the third bench. The implication of "third bench" was that the person was of lower quality. For example, a prostitute "of the third bench" was of low rank.
Tercerona Prostitute of the "third bench"; considered to be low quality. (See Tercerol.)
Toca, tormento de Water torture; the first type of torture adopted by the Spanish Inquisition. See also aprensar, primera estrena.
Tormón, a A fence; someone who resells stolen goods.
Traída Women who once lived in the households of the gentry, sold into prostitution.
Trainel Servant of a pimp whose prostitute works at a brothel; a runner who passes and retrieves messages.
Trápala, Trápana Prison. The name may originate from the sound made by the tramping of the prisoners' chained feet (etymology unclear).
Trena Prison.
Trepador Important thief.
Trísteza Under a death sentence.
Tronya Concubine, lady of pleasure.
Tropelero Highwayman; a thief who waits in hiding at the side of the road, to surprise his victims; see also Alivio de caminantes.
Tropelía Slight of hand, games of deception, illusion.
Trucha, o Prostitute who frequents plazas well-traveled by the gentry.
Truecaborricas A man who makes a living by "changing" donkeys.
Trulla Tumult; bustle and noise of the people, uproar, created by an accomplice as a diversion. See bajamanero.
Tuna The life of a rogue and a pauper.
Valenciana The art of the shell game (petty swindle). See also partido.
Valentacho, valentón Arrogant, vainglorious.
Valentía "Macho."
Varilla Something done behind the scenes.
Vasar de los ladrones Galley; prison; literally, "storage of thieves".
Vasiarse Death.
Vasido, Vasida Dead.
Vasir Death.
Vazunca Tavern.
Vendimiar To steal.
Vender mondongo To engage in prostitution.
Venta común House of prostitution, disorderly place.
Verenda, baranda Leader of a gang of ruffians.
Viltrotonas Prostitute; lady of the night.
Virote Young bachelor.
Xelfe Slave (see also Gelfe).
Yca Prostitute.
Yegua Slut, prostitute.
Zaida Prostitute.
Zonza, Zonzo Old prostitute.
Zozoera Anxiety; for example, as a converso (subject to possible Inquisition) might feel when an Inquisitor rooms next door. (This example is found in Mateo Alemán's novel, 'Guzmánd de alfrache'. See Pike, "Aristocrats and Traders", p. 108.)
Zupia Wine of low quality.
Zurcidor Clothes thief.
Zurrapa Prostitute of low category.
Zurrática Prostitute of good character, which attracts customers.
Zurriache, Zurrión Syphillis.
Zurrona Prostitute, swindler.



English to Germanía

Brothels

Category English Germanía
  Prostitute's client; a "John" Alma
  Red-light district; see also partido Barrio de la cintura
  Brothels in Seville, housed in small shacks Boticas
  Brothel, or house of prostitution
Just as there were statutes about how prostitutes had to dress in public, there were also statutes about brothels (though rarely enforced). One statute said that brothels had to exclude mulatto women. 		Mancebía
  Madam, Manager of a brothel Madre
  (1) The "red light" district
(2) A "shell game" played with cards (card trick); see also valenciana 		Partido
  Brothel Percha
  House of prostitution, disorderly place Venta común


Eateries

Category English Germanía
  Tavern Bodego
  A cheap eatery for the low-class Casa de gula
  Tavern or inn Estado
  Tavern or inn for the low-class or criminals Tabanco
  One who keeps a tavern or inn for the low-class or criminals Tabanquero
  Tavern Vazunca
  Low-quality wine Zupia


Incarceration

Category English Germanía
  Officer of the galley Bogavante
  (Singular: buenaboya) Forzados whose sentences had been completed, but who were retained (illegally) because they were still needed (due to a shortage of galeotes). "Buenas boyas" were paid Buenas boyas, Buenas boyas forzados
  The rowing force of a galley; those who were not too young, or injured, or too old to row. Chusma
  A foreman who used a whip to lash galley oarsman to increase speed while a ship was under attack or in a storm. Comitre
  Galeote of the fourth bench, considered even lower than a tercerol (galeote of the third bench) Cuaterero
  At the rower's bench, where galeotes were chained to each other, and chained to the bench itself (cadena meant "chained in series").
Galeotes who needed medical treatment were generally treated en cadena because it was too much trouble to unchain them. 		En cadena
  Dirty, unventillated vaults where prisoners who had already made their confessions (under torture, or spontaneously) were kept.
   "Most Spanish jails were constructed with patios equipped with fountains and running water in the center and corridors for shade. Near the fountains were convenient stone troughs where the inmates washed their clothes.
   "On the negative side, debtors in Spanish jails were not segregated from criminal prisoners, as they were in many other countries. All inmates, regardless of age, record, or type of offense, were kept together. The only separation was between those who had made their declarations and confessed, and those who had yet to do so. The latter were confined together in dirty, unventilated vaults (encierros). Frequently, those who persisted in protesting their innocence were laden with chains and placed in solitary confinement in grilleros (cages) until they had a change of heart." (Pike, Penal Servitude, p. 58) 		Encierros
  A galeote who was a master at writing on the water with his oar Escribano
  Gallows Estiracuellos
  The first turn of the screw (garrotting or the Inquisition)
See also aprensar, tormenta de toca 		Estrena, primera
  To beat the foam
Originally this meant being sentenced to the galleys ("In April I will go to beat the foam"). When the galleys were gone, the expression lingered as a way of saying you were going to be sent to jail, similar to an American anticipating that they will soon be stamping license plates.) 		Espumas batir
  The final blow from which prisoners cannot escape, such as the gallows Finisbusterre
  People considered to be convicted of a crime, initially used as galeotes or at Almadén mercury mine.
For some insight on what it meant to be a forzado, see en depósitos, where it is clear that it was not necessary to have actually committed a crime, to be convicted of one. 		Forzado
  A gang of slaves or forzados, brought in chains to the galleys or the Almadén mercury mine. Gavillas#
  Small cages (barred cells) where prisoners who had not yet made their confessions (under torture, or spontaneously) were kept in solitary confinement. Grilleros
  Prison
The name may originate from the sound made by the feet of the chained prisoners (etymology unclear). 		Trápala, Trápana
  Prison Trena
  Under a death sentence Trísteza
  Galley; prison
Literally, "storage of thieves" 		Vasar de los ladrones
  Death Vasiarse
  Dead Vacedo, vaceda
  Death Vasir


Language

Category English Germanía
  To mock someone, to treat them with contempt
See also estornudo 		Abejón, jugar de
  Germanía metaphor for "the torment of the rack" (an ancient Roman instrument of torture)
See also primera estrena, tormento de toca 		Aprensar
  Seville Babilonia
  Not worth anything. Germania metaphor derived from cacao (cocoa), which was talked about in the Iberian states but rarely seen; thus, its existence was disbelieved. (In the 1641 story 'Gitanilla', Miguel de Cervantés wrote, "We don't believe in cacao.") Cacao
  To confess a crime, possibly also incriminating others; see M&usico Cantar
  Cuckold; same as cornudo Cartujo
  Cuckold; same as cartujo Cornudo
  Gang of thieves or thugs Esquifada
  Cuckolds, jealous of their reputation Estadistas
  Customary sidewalk jeer, directed at Negroes
This custom was referred to in Lope de Vega's Servir a señor discreto. See also jugar de abejón. 		Estornudo
  Braggart Farfante
  Way of life of thieves, hooligans and card sharps Flor, gente de
  A con game Flor de aduana
  The language of the underworld, commonly referred to among them as "the chatter"
"Germanía" originated in Catalan; "Hermanía" originated in Valencia. As gypsies were regarded by civilian society as thieves, "the chatter" included several gypsy terms. 		Germanía, Hermanía
  A targeted illegal action, such as a theft or a con (literally, a "blow", or a "hit" on a "mark"); or the object of that action occurring
Examples: golpes at a brothel, potential customers of the prostitutes; golpes at a gambling den who can be targeted by card sharps; the golpe who is targeted for a beating by a thug who is paid to hurt him (the blows themselves are also "golpes"). Same as Tabagada 		Golpe, Tabagada
  Underworld Hampa
  Men of the underworld Hampa, gente de
  Misbegotten son (implication: born out of wedlock) Hornecino
  "What's done is done" (literally, "under the horizon"). Horizonte
  Effeminate man Marigalleta, Marión
  A prisoner who confesses a crime; see Cantar Musico
  The life of a rogue and a pauper Tuna
  Vegetable stew fed to galeotes Mazamorra
  Negro Morcillo
  Arrogant, vainglorious Valentacho, valentón
  Macho Valentía
  Something done behind the scenes Varilla
  Anxiety; for example, as a converso (subject to possible Inquisition) might feel when an Inquisitor rooms next door. (This example is found in Mateo Alemán's novel, 'Guzmánd de alfrache'. See Pike, "Aristocrats and Traders", p. 108.) Zozoera


Miscellaneous

Category English Germanía
  Baker Artifero
  Jester Escalador
  A "dandy".
Escarramárs dressed in silk with many ornaments; wore big mustaches that tickled their ears; large-brimmed hats with two crimson bandanas; cloth gloves; and carried a sword and hooked dagger 		Escarramár
  Nose handkerchief Fazo
  Jar of wine Esquilón
  Recently-married man Mantón
  Sodomite (passive) Putillo
  Sodomizer Puto
  Heavy, rustic, coarse man Ramazote
  Snuff
Tobacco products were tightly controlled by the Spanish Crown. Thus a lively business arose whereby tobacco products were smuggled in from France to Spain through the Navarre land corridor. It would seem that underworld Germanía terms like "rapé" were likely used by the French underworld as well. One might learn more about Germanía by looking at the speech of the French underworld. (See Eric Partridge, "The Routledge Dictionary of Historical Slang", Routledge, 1973, Sixth Edition.) 		Rapé
  A place where ruffians or thieves gather Rancho
  Stolen goods Robania
  Curing syphillis; usually used as an expression of futility ("You might just as well try to cure syphillis") Sana potras
  The servant of the lowest category in the kitchen; "Kitchen rascal" Sollastre
  Sodomite Sométíco
  A huckster selling the latest snuff-boxes (tobacco) Tabaquino
  Syphillis Tenquedo
  Galleote of the third bench
The implication of "third bench" was that the person was of lower quality. For example, a prostitute "of the third bench" was of low rank. 		Tercerol
  Water torture
The first type of torture adopted by the Spanish Inquisition. See also aprensar, primera estrena. 		Toca, tormento de
  A man who makes a living by "changing" donkeys Truecaborricas
  Young bachelor Virote


Prostitutes

Category English Germanía
Parts of speech To engage in prostitution Vender mondongo (verb)
Types Prostitute Hija, Muoercilla, Puturazona, Radicaliente, Ramera, Socorrida, Yca, Zaida*
  Ugly low-class prostitute; she resembles a gusaropa (water worm, an aquatic insect) Abadejo
  Prostitute who works in the gullies Carcavera
  Ladies of the half-mantle
As an aid to police officers enforcing regulations concerning prostitutes, there were dress regulations. Prostitutes were not permitted to wear hats, gloves, mantles, or slippers, but only half-mantles (modern-day mantillas). It was not difficult to recognize prostitutes because "[a]ge and defects were concealed by heavy makeup and the skillful use of cosmetics and dyes ... dyed hair ... false teeth ... Painted faces, rouged lips and bosoms painted with ceruse [white powder]..."
   The half-mantles worn by the damas were originally yellow; in the sixteenth century, the mantles had to be black. The half-mantles had to be worn at all times, except when in church. (Note: Prostitutes were required to attend church on Sundays and feast days, when the brothels were closed. During Lent, special strong efforts were made to convert them.) (See Pike, "Aristocrats and Traders", pp. 208-209.) 		Damas de medio manta
  False virgin
A prostitute who claims to be a virgin 		Estrecha
  Prostitute (derived from the Biblical town of Gomorrah) Guimara, guimarra
  Raindrops (literally). Female stowaways on ships as prostitutes, in which one showers gifts as plentiful as rain to obtain favours.
Pérez-Mallaína, Pablo E.; "Spain's Men of the Sea: Daily Life on the Indies Fleets in the Sixteenth Century", Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 1998, pp. 166, 169 		Llovidos
  A prostitute or public woman, or servant of a pimp; literally, "door of the porthole of a battery" (Naval) Mandilete
  Good-looking young prostitutes Marcas godenas
  Older prostitutes with many other offices (trades) Mujeres pasantes
  Average prostitute Mundana
  A pimp's prostitute Pensionaría
  Prostitute, scamp; a woman who will come to no good (see pícaro) Pícara
  An "honest prostitute"; a discreet prostitute with a limited clientele Puta honesta
  Prostitute who works at the docks (literally "at the trap-netting") Saladera
  Low-class Prostitute Saltabardales
  Prostitute; also, African dance form later known as the sarabande, associated with licentiousness Seguidillas
  Old and dirty prostitute Sellenca
  Discarded woman or prostitute; derived from jota, a popular Aragonese dance Sota
  Working prostitute Sufridora
  Prostitute of the "third bench"; considered to be low quality
(See Tercerol) 		Tercerona
  Women who once lived in the households of the gentry, sold into prostitution Traída
  Concubine; lady of pleasure Tronya
  Prostitute who frequents plazas well-traveled by the gentry Trucha, o
  Prostitute or "lady of the night" Viltrotonas
  Slut or prostitute Yegua
  Old prostitute Zonza, Zonzo
  Low-class prostitute Zurrapa
  Prostitute of good character, who attracts customers Zurrática
  Prostitute, swindler Zurrona

*    This is not a complete list of all the words for "prostitute" in Germanía. In Germanía y sociedad ne los siglos de oro: La carcel de Sevilla, César Hernandez Alonso and Beatriz Sanz Alonso list 130 names for "prostitute" (see pp. 164-166), and even that list is probably not exhaustive.


Slaves

Category English Germanía
  Slave Xelfe
  Negro slave Gelfe


Syphillis

Category English Germanía
  Facial lesions of syphillis Syphillis was generally thought to originate in the New World, and brought back to Spain by those who had sailed with Hernán Cortéz. See also: Hernán Cortéz
http://www.esthermlederberg.com/EImages/Extracurricular/Dickens Universe/Victorian Hairdressing/HarlotsProgress Plate2 detail.html
  Syphillis Zurriache, Zurrión


Thieves

Category English Germanía
Parts of Speech To steal or burgle Abocadar (verb)
  Literally, "admit the pickpocketing".
The phrase may originate from the practice of pickpocketing in pairs, where one thief passes the stolen goods to the other thief, then allows himself to be caught as a diversion. The first thief is apprehended, and admits he stole, but the second thief, and the merchandise, gets away. See also Aliviador. 		Decir los hurtos (verb)
  To fix a deck of cards to prepare for a con Naipe (verb)
  Rob or pillage Surrar (verb)
  Steal Vendimar (verb)
Accomplices Literally, "hornet"; scouts who hover around the city during the day to search for houses that can be broken into at night.
Thieves organized similarly as Merchant guilds or brotherhoods, with consuls (leaders) and depositories for stolen goods. These thief guilds had regulations that divided up streets and territories, with a person responsible for all theft in that territory. All booty was divided; the thief shared equally with the chieftan; his accomplices received one-third, and lookouts (postas) and scouts (abispones) one-fifth. A portion of all thefts was set aside for "benefactors" who included 'the lawyer who defends us, the constable who tips us off, and the executioner who shows us mercy'. 		Abispones, avispones
  Snitch Abaníco soplón
  Protector of criminals and pimps Ángel de la guarda
  A lookout. See also postas Espía
  House-moving men (removalists)
Removalists know their way in and out of every property in the city, and which ones may be of use and which ones may not: to be stolen from, to store stolen goods, or to use as a "safe house". 		Hombres de mudanzas
  An accomplice who marks the houses to be robbed Marcador
  Lookout for thieves involved in a theft. See also Espía Postas
  A "fence"; one who re-sells stolen goods Tormón, a
  Tumult; bustle and noise of the people, uproar, created by an accomplice as a diversion
See bajamanero 		Trulla
Items Stolen Purse of money Esquero
Cheats Card player Carda, hombre de la
  Charlatan Fanfarone
  Someone who cheats at cards by "stacking" the deck Flor
  Card sharps Floraíneros
  Crook or cheat Fullero
  Mountebank; Someone who sells fake medicines, as from a platform in public places, attracting and influencing an audience by tricks, storytelling, etc. Montambanco
  (1) The "red light" district; see also barrio de la cintura
(2) A "shell game" played with cards (card trick); see also valencia 		Partido
  Slight of hand, games of deception, illusion Tropelía
  The art of the shell game (petty swindle); see also partido Valenciana
Types* Cattle-thief or rustler Abigeo
Types* A thief to whom stolen goods are handed off, during the course of a robbery. The first thief allows themselves to be apprehended while the second thief makes off with the stolen goods, which are thus preserved
See also Decir los hurtos 		Aliviador
Types* A thief who steals low or menial things in the market, such as fruits and vegetables Bajacerrero
  Horse- or mule-thief Almiforero
Types* A thief who enters a store and creates a distraction to protect a second thief, who commits a robbery
See trulla 		Bajamanero
  Someone who steals out of meanness Buscón
  Purse-snatcher; same as cicatero Buza de faltrigueras
  Cape snatcher Capeador, capear
  Thief who uses a perch to execute a theft Cardador
  Thief who uses a hangar from a perch, to execute a theft Cardalior
  Purse-snatcher; same as buza de faltrigueras Cicatero
  Purse-snatcher who steals at balls, churches, and public banquets Cigarrero
  Cut-purses Cortabolsas
  Thieves who despoiled religious images Devotos
  Sneak-thieves Duendes
  Thief who uses ladders Entretenido
  (1) A grillo (cage) in jail
(2) The bench of the galeotes 		Escabón
  Petty thief; one who steals small quantities that can't be easily noticed Esquilmón
  A thief who has been defrauded by another thief (see estafador) Estafa
  Thief who has defrauded another thief (see estafa) Estafador
  Pig thief Grunidor
  A thief who drills a hole in a wall or window, in order to access goods to be stolen from the other side of the wall or possibly admit a child or a small adult, who can access those goods. Guzpátaro
  Thugs, ruffians, bullies or thieves Jácaros, jacarandina
  A thief who only works in the dark Lechuza
  Burglars who steal provisions Mayordomos
  Violent thieves Monfí
  Petty thief, robber Murciar
  Thief who picks locks Picador
  Thief who steals something of little value Ratero
  Cowardly thief (rat, or sneak thief) Ratón
  Thief or trickster: "one who lives the uneasy life" Segador
  Cut-purse Sicatero
  Petty thief Sisador
  Important thief Trepador
  Highwayman; a thief who waits in hiding at the side of the road, to surprise his victims Tropelero
  Thief who steals clothing Zurcidor

*    This is not a complete list of all the names for thieves named in Germanía. In Germanía y sociedad ne los siglos de oro: La carcel de Sevilla, César Hernandez Alonso and Beatriz Sanz Alonso list 201 names for thief (see pp. 127-130), and even that list is probably not exhaustive.


Thugs, Ruffians, Pimps

Category English Germanía
  Ruffian (still in use today) Chulo
  The most elite of thugs Flor de cannela
  A group of ruffians; literally, an apronful Mandilada
  Band of mulatto thugs Mutalesea
  Trouble-maker, ruffian or pimp Pendencia
  "Green banner"; hooligan bullies of the underworld Pendón verde
  The life of a rogue Picardía
  A very great rogue Pícarón, pícaronayo
  Thug, ruffian, pimp, vagabond; a man who will come to no good
Example: Pícaro de costa (thug or pimp who prowls the beaches), Pícaro de la marina (thugs who prowls the beaches), etc. 		Pícaro
  Ruffians, thugs, bullies, pimps Rufos
  Violent thieves (who assault their victims) Salteadores
  Servant of a pimp whose prostitute works at a brothel; a runner who passes and retrieves messages Trainel
  Leader of a gang of thugs or ruffians Verenda, varanda



Archaic Spanish Terms, c. 16th Century

Colleras Convicts who marched in chain gangs; the convicts each wore a collar of iron, and were connected to each other with a long chain, collar to collar.
Desterrados+ Banished (literally, "away from the earth").
Desterrados por crímenes+ Banished due to crimes.
Desterrados por la leva+ Banished due to vagrancy (having no visible means of support; hence, the typical assumption was that these people were thieves). Many vagrants were gypsies, who were automatically assumed to be thieves. Thus, a gypsy could be sent to jail for life merely for being a gypsy.
En depósitos En deposito: Convicted offender awaiting outcome of their appeal in cárcel (jail), serving during the interim (en depósitos) on the galleys. Sometimes the people appealed their sentences. Typically they were held for years in such depositories (effectively, jails) while awaiting their fate. Food, clothing, etc., were not supplied to these people, so jailers had to be bribed to provide provisions, and the provisions themselves paid for, by the jailed. Naturally, many of those convicted or unconvicted prisoners died of starvation. Sometimes they preferred to work on the galleys, where they knew they would be fed.
Galeote# Galley oarsman; sometimes a slave. (In most cases the slaves were Moors or moriscos.)
Opus metalli# Work in mines and quarries.
Opus publicum# Public works. People could be sentenced to labor at public works, including the construction or repair of dams, sewers, canals, roads, parks and promenades, and public baths; building bridges; street cleaning; street paving; cemetaries; irrigation; and construction of military hospitals and barracks.
Presidieros+ A convict or other detainee (such as vagrant or a gypsy or a morisco) who has been sent to a presidio to be contained. Less dangerous detainees were sent to North African presidios, as they were less apt to escape and join the Moslems. Hardened criminals were sent to presidios on the mainland.
Presidio+ A castle turned into a fortress, where prisoners were housed.
Sopa boba Soup fed to vagrants and unemployed by religious establishments, similar to the vegetable stew fed to galeotes.
Trapero Old clothes dealer. (See Pike, "Aristocrats and Traders", p. 50.)

% Thieves organized similarly as Merchant guilds or brotherhoods, with consuls (leaders) and depositories for stolen goods. These thief guilds had regulations that divided up streets and territories, with a person responsible for all theft in that territory. All booty was divided; the thief shared equally with the chieftan; his accomplices received one-third, and lookouts (postas) and scouts (abispones) one-fifth. A portion of all thefts was set aside for "benefactors" who included 'the lawyer who defends us, the constable who tips us off, and the executioner who shows us mercy'.

* As an aid to police officers enforcing regulations concerning prostitutes, there were dress regulations. Prostitutes were not permitted to wear hats, gloves, mantles, or slippers, but only half-mantles (modern-day mantillas). It was not difficult to recognize prostitutes because "[a]ge and defects were concealed by heavy makeup and the skillful use of cosmetics and dyes ... dyed hair ... false teeth ... Painted faces, rouged lips and bosoms painted with ceruse [white powder]..."
   The half-mantles worn by the damas were originally yellow; in the sixteenth century, the mantles had to be black. The half-mantles had to be worn at all times, except when in church. (Note: Prostitutes were required to attend church on Sundays and feast days, when the brothels were closed. During Lent, special strong efforts were made to convert them.) (See Pike, "Aristocrats and Traders", pp. 208-209.)

# People sentenced to work at Almadén (Almadén was a mercury mine; mercury was used to purify or extract silver, and is extremely toxic). Almadén was considered to be a terrestrial galley. The building constructed to house the slaves and forzados had a specific architecture: "The interior of this edifice was designed in the form of a galley, with a long narrow central corridor in imitation of the midship gangway (crujía) with the bunks of the inmates located on either side like the benches on galleys. At night the men were chained to their bunks just as oarsmen were attached to their benches." By the 18th century the term crujía referred to this edifice.
   The galera, a penal institution for women, was also modeled after the galleys.

+ Originally only nobles or rich men who had broken laws were sentenced to presidio, and their punishment was to be forced to armed service to the state. (This was appropriate, considering that presidios were originally constructed as castles.) Later, commoners were sentenced to a presidio, and their sentence was to hard labor or military service.



References

1.    Dickens, Charles, "Galley-Slave No. 9999", All the Year Round Issue #372 (June 9, 1866), p. 516-522. In "Galley-Slave No. 9999" a reference is made to a forçat (convict), similar to the Spanish forzado, translated as "galley slave". Forçats appear to be convicts assigned to bagnes (such as the well-known Bagne Cayenne on Devil's Island, French Guyana). In this story, the bagne is located at the naval arsenal in Toulon. Dickens' description of the bagne, with prisoners chained en cadena, is startlingly reminiscent of the Spanish crujía. Dickens explicitly mentions Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" in this story.

2.    Chamorro, María Inés; "Tesoro de Villanos: Diccionario de Germanía: Lengua de Jácarandina, Rufos, Mandiles, Galloferos, Víltrotonas, Zurapas, Carcaveras, Murcios, Floraíneros Y Otras Gentes de la Carda", Empreza Editorial Herder, S.A. Barcelona, 2002

3.    César Hernández Alonso and Beatriz Sanz Alonso (Eds.), "Germanía y sociedad en los siglos de oro la cárcel de Sevilla", Uníversidad de Valladolid, 1999

4.    César Hernández Alonso and Beatriz Sanz Alonso (Eds.), "Diccionario de germanía", Editorial Gredos, Madrid, 2002

5.    Pike, Ruth; "Aristocrats and Traders: Sevillian Society in the Sixteenth Century", Cornell University Press, 1972

6.    Pike, Ruth; "Enterprise and Adventure: The Genoese in Seville and the Opening of the New World", Cornell University Press, 1966

7.    Pike, Ruth; "Penal Servitude in Early Modern Spain", University of Wisconsin Press, 1983

8.    Cervantes, Miguel de; "Rinconete y Cortadillo", Novelas ejemplares, 1613

9.    Vega, Lope de; "La Dorotea"

10.   Guevara, Luis Vélez de; "El diablo cojuelo"

11.   de Lugo y Dávila, Francisco; "De la hermanía"