idioms

Hello #Vivers! Have you ever heard this expression? Have they given you pumpkins or have you ever given pumpkins to someone? The students in our Spanish classes for foreigners find this a very curious expression. If you want to know more about this expression, in our new article we explain its meaning and origin.

This expression means "to reject someone lovingly." In the 1780 edition of the Academy's Dictionary, this meaning is found for the first time, specifically defined as "women rejecting a boyfriend's proposal."

Gonzalo Correas, in his «Vocabulary of sayings and proverbial phrases«, suggests that it has its origins a few centuries ago. At that time, those who learned to swim used gourds (as floats, under their arms) that they abandoned or "threw aside" when they were already able to move in the water without them.

To explain the relationship between love rejection and pumpkins, there are those who allude to the anti-aphrodisiac character attributed to them by the ancient Greeks, so that giving pumpkins would be an invitation to abandon love affairs.

In monasteries of the Middle Ages, pumpkin seeds were used in rosary beads to ward off lascivious thoughts. Furthermore, the pumpkin is a fruit that is very apparent on the outside but not very dense and not very tasty. In that sense it is usually contrasted with the melon, which is the symbol of fertility, abundance and luxury.

And you, have you given pumpkins or have they ever given you pumpkins? If you want to learn many more expressions like this, come to the Luis Vives Spanish School and take a look at the Spanish classes for foreigners that we offer. They are sure to adapt perfectly to your needs. Luis Vives Spanish School The best option to learn Spanish in Madrid!