Concept in Definition ABC

The word suripanta has several meanings and all of them have some relationship. First of all, a suripant is a woman who is dedicated to prostitution high level. On the other hand, this word is used as an insult or as a personal attack on the woman. Finally, the word suripanta refers to the chorus girl who acted as a comparsa in some theatrical performances in the 19th century.

The etymological origin of this term is unknown, but it is very likely that it comes from some regionalism in Spain.

The word suripanta in some Spanish-speaking countries

If a Spaniard hears the term suripanta, it is very likely that they do not know it and this is because it is a disused word and that it is more common among Spanish-American speakers. For an Argentine a suripanta is a prostitute, as for a Colombian, a Mexican or a Peruvian.

The use of the word suripanta as a synonym for prostitute or whore does not mean that it is used to refer to a woman who is engaged in prostitution but rather that in the practice is used as an insult intended to offend the dignity of a woman.

Synonyms of prostituta in Spanish

In Spanish-speaking countries there are many terms that are used as insults towards women and all of them have some connotation pejorative sexual or have a certain relationship with prostitution: amberra, bataclana, guaricha, culipronta, lagartona, manflora and a long etcetera. The same happens with the Spanish of Spain, with terms like bitch, vixen or whore.

Suripanta in the entertainment world

In the 19th century in Spain and in some Spanish-speaking countries there were very popular theatrical performances, such as the gender bufo, the sainete or the zarzuela. In the context of these representations a new character appeared, the suripanta.

She was a showgirl who animated the show and this caused the term suripanta to be very popular at that time. In this sense, it should be noted that there are many references in the literature Spanish from the 19th century to the suripantas.

There is a relationship logic between the terms suripanta and prostituta, since traditionally women who were dedicated to show business were considered libertine and not very decent according to the moral values prevailing. A good example of this is one of the most famous dancers and courtesans of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Bella Otero.

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