piñata

[tree123]

From CNN

"Neither Mexico nor its people is going to be the piñata of any foreign government," added López Obrador, who had even written a book titled Oye Trump ("Listen, Trump") to criticize his policies.

1. What does piñata refer to?

2. Which sentence is correct in the following?

What does piñata refer to?
What does piñata mean to?

 

[abaka]

It's a Mexican thing. At parties and festivals, a piñata is a container full of goodies that is hoisted high and beaten with sticks until it breaks and the goodies fall, to be caught by the revellers.

To use as a piñata is to beat (metaphorically with sticks) for one's pleasure.

''Refer to".

 

[jutfrank]

What does pinata refer to?

This question seems to be asking what the word piñata refers to in the text. I don't think you mean that.

What does pinata mean to?

This should be: What does 'piñata' mean?

This question is asking about the meaning of the word piñata.

I'm guessing that what you're really asking is this: What's a piñata?

 

[tree123]

This question seems to be asking what the word piñata refers to in the text. I don't think you mean that.



This should be: What does 'piñata' mean?

This question is asking about the meaning of the word piñata.

I'm guessing that what you're really asking is this: What's a piñata?

I'm asking the meaning of piñata, and then I possibly ask what's a piñata?

Do most native speakers, even Briton know what a piñata is? I mean it is exotic to you people.

 

[jutfrank]

I don't want to say 'most' people, but yes, the tradition is fairly well-known.

 

[tree123]

I don't want to say 'most' people, but yes, the tradition is fairly well-known.

Is this is because the cultures of Mexicans and the Spanish are very close?

 

[jutfrank]

Is this is because the cultures of Mexicans and the Spanish are very close?

I don't follow. What does Spanish culture have to do with anything?

 

[tree123]

I don't follow. What does Spanish culture have to do with anything?

I don't figure out why you say the tradition is fairly well-known. Mexico is far away from the UK. It was the former colony of Spain, which is not far from the UK. Is this why you know that?

 

[emsr2d2]

Quite a lot of children's parties in the UK involve a piñata these days.

 

[tzfujimino]

I found this definition here:
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/pinata

I find it interesting - a French expression is used to explain the meaning of a Spanish word!
Is "papier-mache" part of the English language? Is it commonly used?

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes, papier-maché is definitely a well-known word in BrE. Most of us did it at nursery/primary school. I don't think there's an "English" equivalent.

I first saw a piñata in the film Young Guns II, Blaze of Glory (made in 1990).

 

[GoesStation]

I find it interesting - a French expression is used to explain the meaning of a Spanish word!
Is "papier-mache" part of the English language? Is it commonly used?

Yes, it's common. It's pronounced "paper muh-shay" in American English. I first encountered the term nearly sixty years ago in elementary school. We used it to make piñatas — which I discovered at the same time. I lived then where I do now, southwest Ohio. In those days, Mexico was nearly as remote to us as Spain, so we were just beginning to discover Mexican culture.

 

[emsr2d2]

It's pronounced "pap-ee-er mashay" or "pap-ee-ay mashay" in BrE. The latter is closest to the French pronunciation. (Apologies for the appalling phonetic transcriptions!)

 

[Rover_KE]

/ˌpæpieɪ ˈ mæʃeɪ/

That's easy for you to say.

It's all Greek to me.:-(