'Ay, caramba!"

Posted by Brian from Shawnee on March 28, 2004

In Reply to: 'Ay, caramba!" posted by Smokey Stover on March 27, 2004

: : Hi there,
: : I never quite sure about this expression "Ay caramble"(it may be spelled differently!).
: : Is it an expression used to indicate the reaction to suprises or "Oh my god"?

: : Thanks

: My Spanish dictionary is a bit old-fashioned. It translates the expression as either "Confound it!" or "Gracious me!" It's probably a bit old-fashioned in Spanish, and it's a flexible interjection used to register surprise, much in the way we might say "Wow!" or "Holy Smoke!" Don't translate it as "Oh my god!" When Spanish-speakers want to say that, they do (in Spanish). I doubt that "Ay, caramba!" would often require translation. Most English-speaking Americans are familiar with the expression and its use. SS

"Ay caramba" is a favorite expression of Bart Simpson's. I wonder if there's a segment of the English-speaking population that doesn't know it's Spanish.