Definition of Pololo (Chile)

In the same language, certain words acquire different meanings depending on each community of speakers. The term pololo is a good example of this. While in Spain and some countries of Latin America It is a garment, in Chile it is a word with different uses, the most special being the one that implies referring to our beloved better half.

In the Chilean context

The Spanish vocabulary spoken by Chileans has incorporated certain words from indigenous languages. Pololo comes specifically from the Mapuche word piulliu, which means fly. In this way, just as a fly prowls around the fruit, the boyfriend is the man who hovers around a woman with the purpose of attracting her.

The boyfriend is not exactly the boyfriend of a girl but the one who aspires to be. In this sense, there is the verb pololear, which is equivalent to courting. Likewise, if a woman tries to call the attention of a man it is said that he is dating. Chileans often say that someone is their girlfriend to refer to their boyfriend in a loving way. At the same time, pololeo is all that sentimental relationship in which there is not a very stable commitment, something like a

love from summer or a temporary relationship.

A pololo or polito can also be an informal job that is done sporadically. Thus, someone could say "I do not have a stable job, but from time to time I get a little girl".

Finally, in Chile there is a greenish endemic and pollinator insect. Its scientific name is Astylus trifasciatus, but it is popularly called pololo or sanjuán.

A garment that is no longer worn

Formerly to babies and kids Little ones wore baggy shorts that reached to the knees. They were shaped like a breeches so that they could comfortably carry diapers inside. This garment was known as a polo shirt and was used to protect children from the cold. With the passage of time the women who carried out some physical activity to the air They freely incorporated this type of pants to wear it under the skirt and cover their legs.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, showing the legs was considered a conduct indecent and contrary to the good traditions. Both the baby polo shirt and the feminine one were made of cotton or wool and sometimes wore lace and embroidery.

Although this garment is no longer in use, it has become a piece of interest to fashion-loving collectors of other eras.

Photo: Fotolia - Artistan

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