"de la ceca a la meca" in English

Question

de la ceca a la meca

Interesting question Sammy. That's a new one for me. I edited your title for clarity. Again, welcome to the forum! - StuartSD, Feb 17, 2012

Answer 1

Hi Sammy, I found this answer using our super-search translator box in the upper-right (also available under the "Translate" tab). "De la ceca a la meca" means, "to go here, there and everywhere" and is informal. Welcome to Q&A!

Answer 2

Literally it means: from the mint to the Mecca.

Andar de la ceca a la meca: to wander about, to rove, to go from here to there, hither and thither

Cervantes quotes this phrase in Don Quixote:

"Y lo que sería mejor y más acertado... fuera el volvernos a nuestro lugar... dejándonos de andar de ceca en meca y de zoca en colodra, como dicen. (Parte 1ª, capítulo 18).

"and that the best and wisest thing, according to my small wits, would be for us to return home, now that it is harvest-time, and attend to our business, and give over wandering from Zeca to Mecca and from pail to bucket, as the saying is." link text

Great context and explanation Luis, thanks for sharing! - StuartSD, Feb 17, 2012

You are wellcome. :-) - LuisCache, Feb 17, 2012