por What is «skull does not scream»?
skull does not squeal corresponds to a fragment of a phrase widely used in Argentina and Uruguay, applied to those who, after enjoying a party until late at night, complain the next day about feeling bad (for having drunk too much, for having stayed up late, etc.).
For example, heto the mother of the son she tries to wake up to tell him that he has to go to work: «Get up, you can’t complain, the skull doesn’t scream.»
According to the analysis of some specialists, it is said that the phrase began to be used in the slums of Buenos Aires, to later spread to the rest of the capital, until it reached the communities settled in Montevideo.
Likewise, it is also believed that it has a series of meanings, thanks to the idioms and adaptations of those who are found both in Argentina and Uruguay.
However, the main meaning refers to the fact that if the person is used to going on a spree, they must assume the consequences of their actions.
Although it is used in the context of parties and celebrations, it is thought that the phrase can be used regardless of context, since its connotation is more or less flexible.
Origin of the expression «skull does not scream»
The term «skull» is used as a synonym for people who prefer parties and lack of control. It began to become common from the appearance of Tirso de Molina’s character, Don Juan Tenorio, who received said adjective.
According to history, the expression was used as an adjective for those young people who practiced sexual relations in the vicinity of cemeteries. Therefore, the manifestation of low passions was associated with the dead, skulls and the spirits of the night.
But also because of the emaciated appearance that these young people had the day after their revelry, so much so that they looked like a skull, that is, with the bones of the head united but without the skin and without meat. This, as a metaphorical expression to refer to the extreme paleness of the late-nighters.
However, it should be noted that some authors indicate that the word actually came originally from Voltaire, whose connotation was established in the writings of Beaumarchais who, apparently, included it in the Barber of Seville.
The Dictionary of the Spanish Academy says of “calavera” that it is a masculine noun (also used as an adjective) that alludes to a “dissipated, revelry and irresponsible man”. That is, the one who goes out to party without caring about tomorrow.
The truth is that, in any case, due to European migrations, both this and other words became common in the Spanish spoken in the Southern Cone to later form part of the lunfarda slang.
Meaning
In the course of time, the word was incorporated into the Lunfardo vocabulary, especially in the humble neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. For this reason, it is believed that it has been recorded for approximately 150 years in the South American country.
Likewise, the two main meanings related to the expression are mentioned:
-«Skull does not scream» is a part of a longer phrase: «Skull does not scream and the piola (awake, cunning person) is the bank (endure, endure)», which at first was said to people with a tendency to to go on a spree to the point of uncontrollability. That is, if you enjoyed an intense night of partying, it is not worth complaining under any circumstances the next day.
-There is the Uruguayan variant: «Skull does not scream, but it rages», whose meaning is different from the one previously exposed, since it indicates that there is no room for complaints, especially when it has been involved in a problem voluntarily (and more when the consequences are known).
-The other meaning is more or less related to the previous item, with the variant that after having become involved in a complex situation, the person complains about it. That is, after looking for a fight, it is not worth complaining.
-It also seems to apply to individuals who are lazy, but must work or make an effort.
Examples of use
-The head of the department told the subordinate: «skull doesn’t squeal», leaving a stack of reports on the desk because he had to work.
-A girl makes a series of medicinal preparations to overcome a hangover. She tells herself: “skull doesn’t squeal”.
-A student knows that he should not take his mobile to school, but he still does it despite the prohibition. He takes it out while he is in class and that is when the teacher takes it and puts it away. The rest of the classmates tell him: “skull doesn’t squeal”.
– «What a skull you are made of.»
-«Complain less and put up with the skull.»
-«Al fart his mother cries because her son is a skull» (corresponds to an Argentine saying).
Similar phrases
Some phrases equivalent to this expression are:
-«Sarna gladly does not itch» (said mainly in Venezuela).
-«Whoever wants light blue, let it cost him.»
-«Whoever likes peach, put up with the fluff.»
-«He who does not risk, does not win, but if you lost you will leave the forum».
-«Whoever wants fish, let his ass get wet.»
-“Who knows how to stay up all night, must know how to get up early”.
Curiosities
-“Skull” is a term widely known as a synonym for the person who likes to party, have fun and parties in general. Its use became popular thanks to literature.
-Some famous authors who introduced the term are Pedro Alarcón and Miguel de Unamuno. Records of the expression have even been found in some writings from Peru and Cuba.
-It is believed that its use is widespread in the vicinity of the Río de la Plata.
-The filmmaker Luis Buñuel made the film «El gran calavera» which alludes to a playboy who is repentant, but who wants others to do the same as him.
-In Argentina, only the abbreviation of the phrase is usually used. On the other hand, in Uruguay the complete version is used: “Calavera does not squeal but rages”.
-«Chillar» is also considered a lunfarda word that means «protest» and/or «scream», although it is a word whose etymology comes from Latin fistulare, which means “to play the flute” and was used to indicate strident sounds. Hence, screaming means shouting in Spanish.
Some Argentine proverbs
-«Who gave you a veil at this funeral?»: expression to reproach that a person has interfered in the affairs of another.
-«Bolear for the grocery store»: means that a person consumes or takes advantage of the earnings from the work of others.
-«Ox only licks well»: indicates that sometimes it is preferable to do certain acts on your own.
-“Change shirt”: serves to qualify those people who change sides or opinions on a very regular basis. It is used mainly in the political and sports spheres.
-“Chocolate for the news”: it is a way of thanking a person who gives news or information that was already known.
References
What is skull does not scream? (nd). In Current Dictionary. Retrieved: July 9, 2018. In Current Dictionary of diccionarioactual.com.
Skull (nd). In all Tango. Retrieved: July 9, 2018. In Todo Tango from todotango.com.
Calavera does not scream (sf). In Word Reference. Retrieved: July 9, 2018. In WordReference from forum.wordreference.com.