Paja

[DailyWord]

This is a discussion thread for the Daily Spanish Word for November 4, 2009

paja (feminine noun (la)) — straw. Look up paja in the dictionary

¿Para qué se ocupa la paja?
What is straw used for?

[laepelba]

Straw, as in drinking straw? Or straw, as in dry hay?

I was told that "bombilla" is the word for a drinking straw. Has anyone else heard this word used before?

[poli]

The word for drinking straw changes from one country to another. Many
Latinos in the USA use pitillo or sorbete.
Paja is straw as in dry grass. It also is one of those words that has
a somewhat sexual context when used in a certain way. I always thought that bombilla was the bulb-like receptical for hierba mate used in Argentia and Uruguay.
Bombilla is

[chileno]

hahaha Poli! "a somewhat sexual contaxt" uh?

Now you'll have to explain it to her. Not me...

Paja = straw, hay

In Chile we use a paja to drink from our Coca Cola bottles.

I guess paja is used to feed cattle.

Does that help?

[pjt33]

If you want to be technical a Panama hat is a sombrero de paja toquilla, which is a fine straw which grows only in Ecuador, in the region around Cuenca. (The English name comes from 49ers who bought exported hats in Panama on their way to California).

[chileno]

Originally Posted by pjt33

If you want to be technical a Panama hat is a sombrero de paja toquilla, which is a fine straw which grows only in Ecuador, in the region around Cuenca. (The English name comes from 49ers who bought exported hats in Panama on their way to California).

I've seen them and I like 'em

At that time, Chile was busy exporting canned "choclo" to California too. (or also?)

[laepelba]

First of all, no body needs to explain anything to me about that.

SOooooo ... it seems that paja can be either straw (dry grass) OR a drinking implement.

Yes, I used a bombilla in Uruguay to drink my mate. (Mmmmmmmmm) I even bought one and brought it back to DC with me. But the other day, I asked a Bolivian friend what these things in our drinks were called in Spanish, she answered "bombilla". (Although she didn't say her "ll" sound like my Uruguayan friends do........ jaja!) So that made me curious.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

First of all, no body needs to explain anything to me about that.

Originally Posted by laepelba

SOooooo ... it seems that paja can be either straw (dry grass) OR a drinking implement.

Yes, I used a bombilla in Uruguay to drink my mate. (Mmmmmmmmm) I even bought one and brought it back to DC with me. But the other day, I asked a Bolivian friend what these things in our drinks were called in Spanish, she answered "bombilla". (Although she didn't say her "ll" sound like my Uruguayan friends do........ jaja!) So that made me curious.

I am sorry for getting carried away with having fun, and I half answered your questions...

Ok

Yes paja can be either straw and a straw.

Straw = paja, bombilla

Bombilla = straw, light bulb

Light bulb = ampolleta, bombilla


yet?

Homework?

[laepelba]

Thanks, Hernán! I'm not necessarily dancing yet ... and I suppose I don't HAVE homework ... I give the homework. But I'm thinking you meant something else by that, and I totally missed it.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

Thanks, Hernán! I'm not necessarily dancing yet ... and I suppose I don't HAVE homework ... I give the homework. But I'm thinking you meant something else by that, and I totally missed it.

But this time, guess who's giving the homework?

And to whom! (no more, no less)