Taco/Tacón

Taco/Tacón
 

People,

I am thinking of the word doorstop. This would be what in Spanish, taco or tacon, or either one?

Could I say "Calzó la puerta con un taco"?

Thanks in advance,

Dean

Go here and tell me if you can make out what is explained, or whatever is that you understand.

http://buscon.rae.es/draeI/SrvltCons...US=3&LEMA=taco

and

http://buscon.rae.es/draeI/SrvltCons...EMA=tac%C3%B3n

I/we will explain later or dispel doubts.

Chileno,

From what I understand of the definitions, taco corresponds to a doorstop, and not tacon. A taco is a wedge, and that's what a doorstop is. A tacon is a shoe heel.

Is that it?

Dean

Yes Sir! :)

A doorstop is either the wedge that keeps the door open, inserted between the base of the door and the floor, or the thing that stops the door from opening too far, mounted on the floor, baseboard, or wall (so that the wall isn't damaged by the doorknob). The former is una cuña (para/de puerta). The latter is un tope (para/de puerta).

That said, I see that both words are used interchangeable, just like in English.

I wouldn't use calzar. That verb is used for chocking tires.

Rusty,

Yes, but a taco is a cuña. So what I want to know is, what do they say?

I was in Argentina a while back, and the lady said: "Calzar la puerta con un taco."

But I couldn't remember whether she said taco or tacón, that is why I asked.

Now you are suggesting that cuña is a better word. I am open to this.

But I would like some imput from native speakers in different countries to know what people actually say.

Silopanna/Dean

At least in Chile and I guess in Argentina, not sure about other Spanish countries, we use the word calzar as poner.

I guess the following link dispels the problem.

http://buscon.rae.es/draeI/SrvltCons...=3&LEMA=calzar

In Spain I would say "calzar una cuña" "poner un taco", "ponerle un tope a la puerta". Maybe the last one is the most common in my book... I think "calzar una cuña" I would use it more in a workshop, doing some kind of repair, or something... Yet it can be used too. It would never be "tacón". :)

In Costa Rica, I believe they also use tacos to refer to cleats (to play soccer with).

tacón - the heel of a shoe (especially women's high-heels)

In México, calzar is often used to refer to putting a small piece of material under something to level it or bring it up to the right height. The noun calza is also used in this sense.

And in México: (as Rusty says)

doorstop - tope (this usually goes on the wall behind a door to keep it from hitting the wall)

Attachment 357
Image source

doorstop - cuña (this is a wooden or rubber wedge that goes under the door to keep it open)
Attachment 358
Image source

Got it!

Ya all are the best, and I thank ya all "mucho"!

Dean

:)