Thread: What does "gilipollas" mean?

Hi, I've heard this derogatory slang many times and don't dont get it. Apparently, it can mean many things depending on the context. I think it is commonly used in Spain as to refer to many different things.
Thanks for helping!

To be extremely dumb. Is a word used mainly in Spain and not common in Latin America

In Argentina we say: "no seas boludo" o "boludeces".

When somebody calls another person a "gilipollas," it means something like "You dumb idiot!"

Is that an insult?
Because sometimes "boludo" can be used to show closeness if I am right. LOL

Originally Posted by iyuanobi

Is that an insult?
Because sometimes "boludo" can be used to show closeness if I am right. LOL

Yeah, I'd say it's Spain's equivalent. I mean, this happens in every language. Depending on the tone and closeness, the same word can have opposite meanings.

I see, makes sense.

Originally Posted by francot

Yeah, I'd say it's Spain's equivalent. I mean, this happens in every language. Depending on the tone and closeness, the same word can have opposite meanings.

Those type of words are so hard to handle for foreigners: you basically don't know if something is being friendly, or insulting you!

Originally Posted by nabylm

Those type of words are so hard to handle for foreigners: you basically don't know if something is being friendly, or insulting you!

I think the rule of thumb here could be: If the person calling you a boludo or a gilipollas is your friend and they are smiling while saying the word to you, then they are being frinedly. Otherwise, they are not.

Do you know where this word comes from? It doesn't sound like an insult to me at all, but more like an elf coming straight out of a Mary Poppins story!