KOÑO

 

Koño comes from a Spanish word that has different meanings, depending on what Spanish-speaking country you come from.

The danger is that, in some places, COÑO is a very delicate word.

In Spain (and other places), COÑO usually means the female genitalia.

But in other countries which speak Spanish, COÑO is simply an expression of anger or even surprise. In Chile, COÑO means a Spaniard (someone from Spain). In Chile and Ecuador, it can also mean someone who is a penny-pincher. 

Since COÑO can be considered a very vulgar, dirty word in some places, and be less offensive in other places, it is best to avoid saying COÑO anywhere Spanish-speaking because, even where it is less offensive, it is still considered something of a swear word or, at least, impolite.

In the Philippines, KONYO came to mean someone rich, and nowadays is the name of the slang used by rich young people, who mix English and Filipino in a certain way.

But in the Marianas, KOÑO is considered a mild exclamation, similar to DAMN or WOW or FOR PETE'S SAKE.

Koño! Håfa na ti un sangåne yo'? Damn! Why didn't you tell me?

Koño! Atan ha' sa' ha chiku gue'! Wow! Just look 'cause she kissed him!

Ha? Pine'lo-mo na siña un cho'gue? Koño! What? You thought you could do it? Give me a break!

Our mañaina had no idea that coño originally meant the private parts of a female. It came to mean a simple and harmless exclamation for us.

GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION : SINCE EVER SINCE

 

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

If you think government corruption is a modern thing, consider that human beings are basically the same today as they were in the past. Self-interest has always been a powerful source of temptation for mankind since the human race began.

In 1929, a woman named Carmen lost her son Jesús while he was working at the kaskåho (coral) pit as an employee of the Naval Government of Guam.

Apparently the accident was work-related, so a government clerk, let's call him Juan, from the Department of Public Works, which employed the dead Jesús, came to Carmen stating that she was entitled to compensation from the Federal Government to the tune of $300.

But, Juan said, Carmen needed to radiogram a claim to the States, which Juan said he was glad to do, but it would cost Carmen $14. Carmen gave Juan the money.

Some time later, Juan came back to Carmen asking this time for $50, a greater sum, claiming that another radiogram was needed to be sent. But Carmen didn't have that kind of money.

Meanwhile, Juan the government clerk notified another woman making the same kind of claim, that she was entitled to government compensation. Juan wrote this lady a note saying :

MAMAILA' HAGÅTÑA LAMO'NA MASEA A LAS SIETTE PAT LAS OCHO GI GIMA' SA' GUAHA MALAGO'-HO PARA HU SANGÅNE HAO YAN SI TAN CARMEN POT ESTE I APAS-MIYO DE KADA MES. SA' MALAGO' YO' NA HU NA' HÅNAO KÅTTA OSINO RADIO NI PAPPET-MIYO NA DOS.

IMPOTTÅNTE - I GIMA'-MÅME LAMO'NA YA HU NANANGGA HAO. TI UN GINASTA DÅNGKULO POT ÅPAS BUS OSINO TOMOBIT PARA KÅTTAN YAN LUCHAN. YANGGEN UN TUNGO' ESTE I PAPPET-MIYO GINEN IYA WASHINGTON. YANGGEN POT SIAKÅSO MA APRUEBA I PAPPET-MIYO ESTE NA KANTIDÅ PARA UN RESIBE $2,379.76

In English :

Come to Hagåtña tonight whether seven o'clock or eight to (my) house because there is something I want to tell you and Tan Carmen about your monthly compensation. Because I want to send a letter or radio (radiogram) about your papers.

Important : Our house tonight and I will be waiting for you. You won't spend much for bus or car fee west or east. If you knew your papers are from Washington. If in case your papers are approved you will receive this amount $2,379.76.

The people Juan sought money from inquired with William G. Johnston, husband of Agueda Johnston, whether Juan actually sent a radiogram. Johnston took the matter to Juan's supervisor at Public Works and the matter was now brought out into the open.

There was just too much evidence against Juan that Juan's plea of innocence was rejected at trial and Juan was sentenced to serve four months in prison and pay fines. The documents do not say if Juan was ever barred from working for the government again.

Government corruption goes all the way back to the Spanish Administration, too. Some Spanish Governors even faced formal accusations against them that were tried in court in Manila.

As Ronald Reagan once said, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are : I'm from the government, and I'm here to help."

Poor Tan Carmen would agree.