Does ANYONE know the TRUE meaning of "Cinco De Mayo?"?
476982
Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for "May 5," commemorates the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.\n\nLed by General Ignacia Zaragoza Sequin, a poorly-armed Mexican army of 4,500 stopped and defeated 6,500 well-armed French soldiers.\n\nThe battle halted the invasion of the country and is the cause for the date's celebration each year.\n\n"It was especially important because it was the first Mexican victory against the French, who hadn't lost a battle in 50 years," said Andrea Gaeth, a sophomore in Spanish and president of Ohio State's Spanish club. "The Americans came to their aid after this battle to remove the French for good and thus began an alliance between the United States and Mexico."\n\nThis holiday is not, as many Americans think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually celebrated Sept. 16.\n\n"It's one of two independence days," said Derek Petrey, a senior lecturer in Spanish. "There's a traditional day celebrated in September and this day, which celebrates a famous victory over the French army."\n\nCinco de Mayo is celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico since Mexicans hold Sept. 16 as their true independence day.\n\n"It's more of an informal holiday," Petrey said. "It's not as important in Mexico. It's actually bigger with the Latino population here."\n\nMagdalena Mejia, a Spanish teaching assistant from Puebla, Mexico, said Cinco de Mayo is more of a Chicano holiday.\n\nChicanos are people who were born in the United States but whose parents are from Mexico.\n\n"They have a very strong culture in this country," Mejia said, "and they wanted to have their own holiday. Cinco de Mayo is their party
341788
The answer depends on whether you mean may day, the 1st. day of May, or Mayday- the distress call.\n\nThe distress call is derived from the French "M'aidez" meaning help me.
522533
5 de Mayo is a Mexican American celebration/tradition. In Mexico it is not celebrated, at least not the way it is in the states particularly in Los Angeles. The 5th of May was the day when Mexico and France fought against each other. La Batalla de Puebla as it is called, this battle took place in Puebla, Mexico. This battle is well celebrated because the French had technology; weapons like canons, guns, and other forms of weapons. Meanwhile the Mexicans only had their Machetes. Therefore it was proven that technology was not needed to win in this battle against the French. \nIn Los Angeles, there is not special way of celebrating, it angers me that many poeple just go out to get drunk and commit stupidity. But a simple BBQ or going to a club, which they usually over charge, with friends will do. It's not really a family outting.
286925
it means fat tuesday, it originated in france.  acyually, it was a pagan celebration, kindof like todays in Louisiana.  It was the day before ash wednesday, which is today.  it was origannally earlier in the month, but when the christians came they moved it, it is now used to party before the 40 days of lent
416878
The celebration of Cinco de Mayo (meaning 5th of May in Spanish) should not be confused with Mexican Independence Day. Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on 15th September while Cinco de Mayo falls on 5th of May. Mexico declared its independence from Spain on 24th August, 1821. This modern holiday begain when a group of California State University students decided to hold the first Cinco de Mayo commemoration in the United States. This was around 1967. The students felt that there was no Chicano holidays and needed to do something about it. They wanted something to recapture their history and identity and decided that the Battle of Puebla was symbolic and they could connect it to their struggle for the formation of a Chicano Studies program at the university.\n\nCinco de Mayo is not an American Holiday but it is celebrated on a much larger scale by Chicanos in the U.S. than in Mexico. In Mexico, the celebration of Independence Day is considered more important. Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of the courage of the Mexican people during the battle (La Batalla de Puebla) on May 5th, 1862 where 4,500 Mexican soldiers defeated the Mexican traitors (exiled Mexican Convervatives) and French army of 6,500 at Puebla, Mexico . Puebla is 100 miles east of Mexico City. The Mexican forces were made up of untrained commoners. This victory did not win the war but it showed the courage and strength of the Mexican troops. The "Batalla de Puebla" became a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism.\n\nAfter Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, the country was faced with many problems. There were internal power struggles and during the dictatorship of Santa Anna, Mexico went to war with the United States in 1846. This war and the years of fighting put Mexico in a very bad financial position. It was bankrupt. Mexico had to give away a huge portion of its land to the United States. That land is now known as Texas.
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supergiantbaileycat did a very good reply.\n\nI just want to add, Cinco de Mayo IS NOT the day mexicans celebrate independence. Independence day in México is September 16th.\n\nCinco de Mayo can't be a celebration of independence since México lost that war. The battle was won that day, but the war was lost. Cinco de Mayo represents to México what El Alamo represents to US. A celebration of brave (even if they lost).\n\nAnd yes, it seems that the date is bigger in US than in México. People work and there ain't much of a celebration in México that day, except maybe in Puebla state.\n\n--------------------------\nkevintillot: I don't see the reason to paste exactly what other poster had cut and pasted. And adding the "source" wouldn't be a bad idea.
563607
It means chick (as in baby chicken) or the more popular usage means penis.\n\nVerb-wise it means 'I paint' as well from Pintar. 'Eu pinto.' would be the full sentence.
971125
I'd bet that your friend is Mexican.\nYou're right, the phrase is Que onda.  Onda means wave, or vibration, so the literal translation is What wave? or What vibes?, but it is a common Mexican greeting meaning "What's up?" or "What's happening?"
679176
How about something from Latin, such as "carpe diem" which means "seize the day" or "tempus fugit" which means "time flies" or "facta non verba" which means "deeds not words" or "cogito ergo sum" which means "I think, therefore I am"?\n\nThese links may help.
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Since your all more or less brainless (or just hate digging up the facts).\n\nyesterday was a day without an immigrant, not an illegal.\n\nCinco (not Cinque, thats French) de Mayo is the 1862 Battle of Puebla where the Mexicans said Goodbye to the French Army under the power of Napolean. It has nothing to do with raping women and celebrating a country that failed them, it has to do with winning an epic battle against what was the strongest army in the world.\n\nOh, and if Mexico had not beaten the French, the USA would have been split down the middle forming two countries to avoid the massive expanse of power that was happening, and the rest of the world forces feared for the other powers. A bit like today really.\n\nSo for once, you can say Thanks to the Mexicans, because they saved your arse.\n\nSo please stop being so dumb. Please. Your all embarrasing yourselves. And for your info, its not a day off either.\n\nAnd i find it totally ironic that after telling the Mexicans to bugger off home, you now want to celebrate theyre holiday. How stupid can you be?
577194
Contrary to popular belief, it is not the Mexican Independence holiday(that is in September).  It is celebrated because that day marked the defeat of French forces against the Mexican Army.
942093
I'm in Spanish 4 and I can tell you that I love the language even more than English. French is great (but I like Spanish better) and German (in my opinion) doesn't sound very pretty. So, I'd pick Spanish.\n\nSpanish speakers celebrate cinco de Mayo (May 5th), which is their independence day. They also celebrate el Dia de los Muertos (The day of the dead). It's almost like American Halloween, but it's even bigger and better. It's a day to honor the dead. As far as the food, Spanish countries have a lot of spicy things. I'm sure you know they have tacos, nachos, burritos, and things like that.\n\nInstead, they celebrate Oktorberfest in Germany. In France, you could do something on the Eiffel Tower.\n\nGood luck!
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I used to be a server and we used to say that all the time but I had no idea where it came from.  So...  I tried to find some info and this is a website I found.  I hope it answers your questions.  I found it interesting.  \n\nhttp://www.dinermuseum.org/culture/culture-slang.php
548307
Do you mean cinco de mayo?  It's when the Mexican army defeated the French at la Batalla de Puebla in 1862.
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Actually a lot of people don't know what cinco de mayo is, in Mexico they celebrate the anniversary of the battle of puebla, when general Ignacio Zaragoza, kick the but of Americans and Frenchman’s that where trying to invade Mexico, but they loose against the poor armed Mexicans, but anyways long story make short, there is not any specific traditional music that you could play in your party, if you want to you can play some mariachi music that’s never fail. If you got some tortillas and guacamole on your party, and plenty of coronas then when you star to feeling buzz believe me you will be able to understand Spanish “lol” have fun…
628071
In naming a national holiday, You got it!  To write about the fifth day of May, it would be cinco de Mayo.
953498
Hello, dia de los muertos is in spanish saying day of the dead celebrated in MEXICO where the people of MEXICO go to the graves and party and drink for all the past relatives. It can get real grusome when some people get to invovled and start bringing the dead out physically, the phlilipines have a similar celebration.bye