"sin decir agua va"

Question

Not sure what this phrase means. (I'm reading Los Relampagos de Agosto, by Jorge Ibargüengoitia.)

"de buenas a primeras y sin decir agua va"

According to the translator, the first part, "de buenas a primeras", means "out of the blue". But I can't figure out "sin decir agua va". Any ideas?

Answer 1

A quick search on Google would have given you the answer.

The expression "Agua va" comes from medieval times, when there were no toilets or any other hygienic facilities in the city houses. People did their stuff in chamber pots, and simply tossed the stuff out of the windows in the morning.

In Spain, the proper etiquette for this procedure required that people warn passersby by yelling "Agua va!" - Water going out!

Your quote, therefore, refers to someone doing something, probably rash or harmful, on impulse and without due warning to those who might be affected.

It is an outmoded expression, of course.

Ah, good point! Some reason I only think to google-search about half the time. Thanks for the background on it! - Soninmyeyes, Oct 2, 2010

Gekkosan - In this case one might say it is an out 'commode'd expression. Or maybe not? - Moe, Oct 2, 2010

Outmoded, yes. But in some places *not* so long ago!. This was still in use in very poor neighborhoods in Spain during the first half of the 20th century. - bill1111, Oct 3, 2010

@Moe: funny! :-D - Gekkosan, Oct 3, 2010

Answer 2

"De buenas a primeras y sin decir agua va" - "totally out of the blue and without warning". Basically, it's the same expression, repeated for emphasis.

Great question!

Perfect! Thanks! - Soninmyeyes, Oct 2, 2010

Answer 3

"de buenas a primeras" and "sin decir agua va" They are colloquial phrases.And both have an equivalent mean.First example: Yesterday I knew a girl and today de buenas a primeras she told if I want to be her boyfried! Surprised? Yes! Second example:This morning I make a Little joke to my girlfried in front of our friends,she did not smile;when I went to visit her this afternoon sin decir agua va, she slapped me! Why! Surprisinly!

Good examples! - Soninmyeyes, Oct 2, 2010

she asked me if I want to be her boyfriend :) (told doesn't work here) I made (past tense) a little joke (not 'make' present tense) SP surprisingly :) Hope you don't mind me helping with your English, great job over all :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 2, 2010