7 Fun Mexican Foodie Idioms

February 27, 2017 Carla Jones

Here are seven of the most used Mexican food idioms you can use when you're in Mexico, hanging out with some Mexican people or even in our up coming Mexican Street Food Night!

Vocabulary

Ollas… Pots
Caldos… Broths
Chivo… Goat
Arroz… Rice
Dedo… Finger
Cuencen… Cooked/Toast
Pollo… Chicken
Todos lados… Everywhere
Habas… Broad Beans
Ruido… Noise
Nueces… Nuts

1. Sólo las ollas saben los hervores de sus caldos

“Only pots know the boiling of their broths”

If someone says this to you they’re probably trying to tell you that you’re being too nosy and you should probably mind your own business.

2. ¡Te están haciendo de chivo los tamales!

“They’re making your tamales out of goat!”

This common phrase is used to tell someone that they’re being cheated on. You will never find a Tamal made from goat meat which how this idiom has come about.

3. Eres el arroz de todos los moles

“You’re the rice in every single mole.”

*Mole: A traditional Mexican sauce which is always served with rice.

This idiom is similar to the English saying “you appear even in soup” (te apareces hasta en la sopa). It basically means that people expect you to be there even if you’re not invited. The Rice is not essential for mole but yet it will always be served at the dinner table.

4. Te están dando atole con el dedo

“They’re giving you atole by the finger.”

*Atole: A traditional Mexican homemade drink. Usually made with corn flour, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla extract.

This phrase means that someone is trying to make a fool out of you. If the person actually cared you they would give you a whole cup of Atole.

5. Tú eres mucho arroz para tan poco pollo

“You’re too much rice for such a little chicken.”

This is usually said to someone after a breakup. If someone says this to you they are saying that you’re too good for him/her.

6. En todos lados se cuecen habas

“Broad beans are cooked everywhere.”

When someone is constantly moaning about their life to you can say this to them. You will essentially be telling then that will all go through bad times so get over it!

7. Mucho ruido y pocas nueces

“So much noise and so few nuts.”

If someone ever says this to you they are telling you that surely talk the talk but you rarely walk the walk.

Enjoy!

- Zaskia

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