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Although its original meaning was perhaps derogatory, its usage today is not necessarily pejorative, even though it may be considered offensive by English-speakers. The American Heritage Dictionary does however classify the term as offensive slang {Link without Title} In informal Spanish speech, "gringo" offers a convenient shorthand to refer to a person from the U.S., since the term " American " is used to refer to anyone from the entire American continent (North, Central and South), while the more specific term "estadounidense" ("one from the United States") is somewhat cumbersome to pronounce. "Gringo" is almost never used to refer to people from the U.S. of Asian, Native American or Latin American origin, and its usage appears reserved almost exclusively to U.S. residents of Caucasian or black descent. The term does lend itself to derogatory, paternalistic or endearing connotations, depending on the context and the intent of the user. In contrast, the term "yanqui" ("Yankee") is used almost exclusively in a derogatory way, to refer to any U.S. citizen, even those from the American South . In some regions of Argentina , Paraguay and nearby areas, "Gringo" is used to refer someone of blonde hair and/or light skin color, regardless of their origin. It is not a pejorative term. It's also used (jokingly) as a nickname for people who are dark skinned. Another word for gringo is ''Polaco'' ( Polish ). MEANING Mexico , Central America , and northern South America : In these countries the word normally means specifically a U.S. citizen, regardless of language spoken or ethnic origin. Its use is sometimes derogatory. '''Southern , and the term is less derogatory than in northern Latin America . '''. Most English language speakers have met the word in Western Film s. In the United States , the term can provoke reactions incommensurate with its largely innocuous Spanish-language sense. OTHER USES In the context of Mexican Cuisine ,a ''gringa'' is a flour tortilla Taco of spiced pork (''carne al pastor'') with cheese (mostly Manchego , Chihuahua or Oaxaca cheese). The combination is heated on the '' Comal '' until piping hot and then served with a choice of Salsa . ETYMOLOGIES The Spanish etymologist Joan Corominas states that it was a variation of ''griego''''Griego'' at '' Diccionario Crítico Etimológico Castellano E Hispánico '', Vol. III, Joan Corominas , José A. Pascual , Editorial Gredos , Madrid, 1989, ISBN 84-249-1365-5 (" Greek Language "), the proverbial name for an unintelligible language (a usage found also in the Shakesperean "That's all Greek to me"). From the language, it was extended to people speaking foreign tongues and to their usual physical features. A recurring Fake Etymology for the derivation of ''gringo'' states that it originated during the Mexican-American War of 1846 - 48 . It has been claimed that ''Gringo'' comes from "green go" and used in reference to the American soldiers and the color of their uniforms. This is an example of an invented explanation, because ''gringo'' was used in Spanish long before the war and during the Mexican-American War, the U.S. Army did not use green uniforms, but ''blue'' ones. Yet another story, from Mexico , holds that Mexicans with knowledge of the English language used to write "greens go home" on street walls referring to the color of the uniforms of the invading army; subsequently, it became a common habitual action for the rest of the population to yell "green go" whenever U.S. soldiers passed by. Another legend maintains that one of two songs – either " Green Grow The Lilacs " or " Green Grow The Rushes, O " – was popular at the time, and that Mexicans heard the invading U.S. troops singing "Green grow..." and contracted this into ''gringo''. Another version, heard in Brazil, refers to the United States Air Force base near Natal, Brazil during World War II . The American soldiers, wearing green uniforms, would be commanded "green, go!" by their Sergeant s during training. The story of "Green Go" can also be heard in most other Latin American countries, with numerous variations. Some stories have the term originating as recently as the Vietnam War . Other stories attribute the term to other conflicts, all of which occurred too late in history to account for the earliest usages of the word. Yet another version, also heard in Brazil, claims that when the British were building the railroads in Brazil in the beginning of the century, they would instruct the locals on how semaphores worked: Red, Stop. Green, Go. The British were thereafter known as "gringo". In the Dominican Republic it is said that the term was a mispronunciation of the words green gold, referring to the American currency. This theory has yet to be proven. SEE ALSO
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