Interesting Etymology : Let's have a guess!
Hi friends, 
recently I have seen plenty of interesting words, and of course their origins weren't different. And I have an idea. Let's try to find out where some words come from.
But no searching!
Only guesses. And if you are sure you know it, please wait for a while. Just tell us if something comes to your mind. The answers can be both in English and Spanish.
Let's start with an easy one, I know that maybe most of you know this, but just to see how this will work :
---Gringo---
It's used more in Mexico. What can the history be? Or why does it mean "American"?
Good Luck!
13 Answers
I guess that's because all Americans are simply green with envy when they come and visit Mexico.
¡Me encanta la etimología!
Síííí, he leído algo de eso pero no me acuerdo. ¿No tiene algo que ver con la frase "green go"? No me acuerdo bien.... Voy a ponerme a pensar un rato para ver si puedo recordar!!
Hmmm, yo creo recordar que tiene algo que ver con los uniformes de la guerra de secesión...pero no estoy segura. Vamos a esperar.
Ah, y me parece que encima ni siquiera eran verdes los uniformes, jeje, en fin, esperemos.
If green is a key to the answer, what else could be green on gachupines except their uniforms?? Boots don't make sense here...
I´m wondering if it has the same roots as guiri. Being an American in Spain who works with many South Americans, I get both quite a bit.
The soldiers invading Mexico were dressed in a blue uniform that has no resemblance whatsoever with any kind of green, which is enough to debunk the popular theory of the "Green go!" No serious etymological book considers the theory of "Green Grow the Lilacs"as serious, for lack of evidence. I won't say more, to let other people guess, but among experts in etymology there are several theories and no uncertainties at all about its origins, although most sources believe it can be traced back to Spain... and further.
Perhaps it was because of the Mexican American war sometime in the 18 or 19 hundreds.....
¿Quieres saber la historia que Amy y Lorenzo dicen esté equivocada? (por favor corrijas mi español)
Hay una canción que tiene la letra que va "Green grow the lilacs . . ." Los soldados estadounidenses cantaría esa canción por las noches. A los soldados mexicanos sonaría a "gringo . . ." Así, los yanquis tenían un nuevo nombre.
escuches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf2fn6ZWmLw
chorus Green grow the lilacs, all sparkling with dew I'm lonely, my darling, since parting with you; But by our next meeting IU'll hope to prove true And change the green lilacs to the Red, White and Blue.
I once had a sweetheart, but now I have none She's gone and she's left me, I care not for one Since she's gone and left me, contented I'll be, For she loves another one better than me.
chorus
I passed my love's window, both early and late The look that she gave me, it makes my heart ache; Oh, the look that she gave me was painful to see, For she loves another one better than me.
chorus
I wrote my love letters in rosy red lines, She sent me an answer all twisted and twined; Saying,"Keep your love letters and I will keep mine Just you write to your love and I'll write to mine.
it´s "green go home", because of the US soldiers invading Mexico.... i think
In our opinion ,and referring only to the north of México, (because the word gringo seems to be applied differently in other latin countries. I will have to go with gringo as a made up word to disparage those of american origen. All foreigners can be called ''gabacho'' but americans only, are referred to as ''gringos''.
I have read this before, so I know some of the more common versions of the origin of the word, as well as the explanations of why some of those stories are incorrect, especially the "green go" version. Urban legends are quite persistent.
Could it be because they get a little green around the gills when they get
a dose of Monctezumas revenge ? 
I read about a theory about this before but can't remember the full details. Did "grin-" come from "green?"
