Abstract
In this squib, we present an analysis of the nowadays commonly used adjective cuco/cuqui in Spanish. We hypothesize that its two adjectival meanings, as “cute” and as “astute”, are metonymically derived from the meanings of cuco as “carrycot” and “bird/card game”, respectively. Blending theory accounts for how these emergent meanings are combined with new referents in speech. This analysis can be extended to other frequently used colloquial adjectives in Spanish like panoli and choni.
Highlights
In this squib, we present an analysis of the nowadays commonly used adjective cuco/cuqui in Spanish
Tahúr, which describes an addicted player to card games (CARD PLAYER meaning, see example 3), designates a game of cards named malcontento ‘the unhappy one’ (CARD GAME meaning, see example 4)
From the cognitive linguistic point of view, how the presently used meanings of cuco/cuqui as CUTE and ASTUTE arose, as well as those of other adjectives that follow a similar pattern
Summary
We present an analysis of the nowadays commonly used adjective cuco/cuqui in Spanish. Cuco, adjective, appreciative, metonymy, blending theory, semantic change, panoli, choni, FrameNet From the cognitive linguistic point of view, how the presently used meanings of cuco/cuqui as CUTE and ASTUTE arose, as well as those of other adjectives that follow a similar pattern.
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