Tom_NUFC Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 On the subject of Brazilian names, I recommend reading 'Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life' by Alex Bellos as it has an interesting bit on Brazilian names. They aren't just their actual names or versions of them. Any player with a name ending 'inho' or 'inha' means Little. Ronaldinho = Little Ronaldo. A name ending 'ao' means Big. 'Ze' is a shortened version of Jose (so it's a bit like 'Joe'). Some players are given nicknames refering to their descent. There have been players called: Polaca (Polack or Pole) Mexicano (Mexican) Japinha (Little Japanese) Alemao (Big German) One player was known as Mauro Shampoo because as well as being a Footballer he also owned a Hairdressers. Dunga was called so after the Brazilian Portuguese name of the character Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Garrincha means Little Bird. Ugly players have been called: Airton Beleza (Airton Goodlooking) Marciano (Martian) Medonho (Frightful) Cara de Jegue (Donkey Face) Others have been named after animals: Formiga (Ant) Piolho (Lice) Abelha (Bee) Jacare (Alligator) Some have been named because of their colour/race (which is acceptable in Brazil) Escurinho (Darky) Telefone (Telephone, at a time when most Telephones were black) Petroleo (Petrol) Gasolina (Gasoline) Meia Noite (Midnight) Others: Preguinho (Little Nail) Bigode (Moustache) Nariz (Nose) Boquinha (Little Mouth) An ex-governor of the Brazilian state of Piaui was known as Mao Santa (Holy Hand) while the president of the Rio State Football Federation is Caixa D'Agua (Water Tank). In the book there are supporters called: Dentinho (Little Tooth) Metaleiro (Heavy Metal Fan) Cotonente (Cotton Bud) Some players have been named because they resembled the styles of other players Canigga Maradona Muller (after Gerd Muller) Gilmar (after the goalkeeper in Brazil's 1958 and 1962 World Cup Winning sides. The original Gilmar was given a Hybrid name of both his parents' names Gilberto and Maria. The book lists an XI of professional players' names. Picole (Lollipop) Ventilador (Ventilator Fan) Solteiro (Single Man) Fumanchu (Fu Manchu) Ferrugem (Rust) Gordo (Fatso) Astronauta (Astronaut) Portuario (Docker) Gago (Stutterer) Geada (Frost) Santo Cristo (Holy Christ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparta Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Mcbeinho sounds like a scottish - brazilian mix Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nufc_geordie Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Homson - Could be open to some interesting interpretations! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swissmag Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Kundandro Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobby_solano Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 i got leinho da costa more like a portuguese player i reckon hehehe i know portuguese is the principal language of brazil, but leinho da costa just sounds more like the name you would see on a portugal shirt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raconteur Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Just like to show appreciation for Tom_NUFC's post - and to thank him for prompting me to pick up my copy, and add to his recommendation Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigAl2 Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Rowando Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
midds Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Meiro Da Costa. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler182 Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Mine would be Davildo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONTEMPI Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Myito I sound fucking shit hot Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parky Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Fieldinho. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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