!Que rollo!

Question

I am in southern Costa Rica, and I hear people saying "que rollo" when something is interesting or, perhaps, strange/funny. Is it "rollo" or "royo", and what does it mean, exactly? (Obviously I have a pretty good feel for its general meaning.) The literal translations in the dictionary don't quite seem to fit.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Costa Rica dictionary

Rollo : Divertido, gracioso.

For some context read some of this: Que rollo lo que se ve a veces en las calles

• Interesting link and with proper spelling! Interestingly, many of those expressions are common in Spain too. - lazarus1907 Apr 26, 2011
• Actually, they thought they were expressions typical of their country, but they are in the dictionary as standard. - lazarus1907 Apr 26, 2011

Answer 2

It is a slangy way of saying "what's rolling" literally or "what's going on or what's up"

Answer 3

that means "What's happening'"

Answer 4

That's strange because I know that in Spain this phrase (¡Qué rollo!) means what a drag! or what a bore!

Answer 5

¿ Qué rollo? in the north of México means whats up? not particularly slang but very familiar.

And Julian is correct in his usage as well.

• I agree. - Agora Apr 26, 2011

Answer 6

Yes, you are right.

Answer 7

In Spain it is a colloquial way of saying "What a bore/pain!", among other things.

• The differences can be surprising can't they - pacofinkler Apr 26, 2011

Answer 8

In Mexico as slang it means "problem," ie: "Ahora si, ya te metiste en un rollo." (Now you´ve done it, you gotten yourself into a mess/problem."

"¡Qué rollo!" ...... "What a mess!"

• ¿De que parte de México estás hablando ? Porque yo soy mexicana y sé que además de ese significado, también tiene otro, que cambia cuando se trata de una pregunta ¿ Qué rollo? - - Agora Apr 26, 2011