A playfully pejorative Spanish term for foreign tourists, especially pale northern Europeans who arrive seeking sun, sangría, and stereotypical Spanish experiences.
Originally from Basque 'guiristino' meaning 'Christian,' this word traveled through Spanish slang to become a cheeky label for tourists. The Basque roots reveal how Spain's linguistic minorities contributed colorful terms to the national vocabulary, transforming a religious designation into modern tourist comedy.
Here's a word born from pure Spanish sass! 'Guiri' is what happens when locals need a word for those tourists who show up wearing socks with sandals, ordering paella at 3 PM, and getting sunburned on day one. It's not mean-spirited — it's more like affectionate eye-rolling. The fact that it comes from Basque makes it even more delicious, because it shows how Spain's regional languages sneak into everyday Spanish. If you've ever been that obvious tourist abroad, you've probably been someone's guiri!
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