gui-pi-pia

[editer]

Here’s a little piece of fluff that I hope Costa Rica oldtimers can address. As part of my due diligence in researching Costa Rica, I entered a search on my satelite video recorder for TV programs containing Costa Rica in the title or description. One of the results was “Carnival in Costa Rica” with Caesar Romero. In the movie was a song titled “Gui-pi-pia.” According to the lyrics, gui-pi-pia is a common greeting among Ticos. However, in my first two trips down, I hadn’t heard the term. Can someone enlighten me as to the word, its history, and its usage? I know it’s trivial, but I’m curious.

thanks

editer

[dkt2u]

Have been traveling here for three years,and have lived here over a year now. WE have never heard the phrase used.

[Andrew]

Never, ever heard it.

Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.com

[wmaes47]

Google without the hypens. Mentioned several places including a GUIPIPIA Party Hall.

I couldn’t find your answer.

Edited on Aug 01, 2006 17:06

[editer]

So I guess that the word is just a concoction of some Hollywood songwriter. I’m glad I asked. I could have been walking around Costa Rica saying “guipipia” to everyone. and they’d be thinking “What’s this idiot saying?”

Thanks for the info,

editer

P.S. If you get a chance to see Carnival in Costa Rica, watch it. It was filmed in 1947 and they make fun of the streets not having names or numbers. Nothing’s changed much in sixty years.

[philipbennie]

sounds to me like the shout that is made during dancing etc at fiestas, its a kind of cowboy yipee! if I understand right. You will certainly hear it in Guanacaste and during typical dances. In fact I remember hearing it at a presentation at the Tiquisia restaurant in Escazu.

Phil

[editer]

Ahh, so it’s a regional word. Thanks Phil. Maybe next trip I’ll head out to Guanacaste and try to record the elusive gui-pi-pia.

editer

[Pachuco]

From the “Nuevo Diccionario de Costarriqueñismos” güipipía Grito típico del campesino. (En los bailes los actores suelen echarse unos guipipías). // 2. ¡güipipía! intj. Exclamación que denota alegría, oriunda de las áreas rurales. (Hoy en realidad se oye más frecuentemente en los bailes folclóricos, hechos por grupos nada identificados con el campo, que entre los mismos que le dieron origen).

[editer]

Mucha gracias, Pachuco. Yo tengo comprar esto libro.

[Author]

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