¿Coso o cosa?

Question

Whilst chatting with mates the other day, someone came out with 'este coso', clearly referring to a thing.

Does anyone know why one might use 'coso' instead of 'cosa'?

Answer 1

There are two matches in the Phrasebook searching for "coso" here

That will probably answer your question.

Thanks Pesta, I'm looking though for some insight as to why one might actively say coso instead of cosa, any subtleties that it might entail... - afowen, Jan 10, 2011

Answer 2

Can anyone shed any light?

Yes, although I think Pesta's answer pretty much cover it.

It is a regional, informal (slang / idiomatic) use of the word. As the link provided by Pesta indicates, in some places people use the word "coso" when they mean "that thingumajig"; "that doodad", "that unmentionable / indescribable thing". In my experience, it tends to have a somewhat scornful connotation. The expression typically goes: "el coso ese". interestingly, somebody actually uses this as a name in Facebook, which is not an uncommon exchange: "Pasame el "COSO" , qe coso? ese COSO! Como voy a saber qe es el "COSO" !!"

"Cosa" is the normal word for "thing".

The reason the info via the link was of no help is that coso is equated to cosa. Your saying that it's a bit derisive offers a distinction between cosa and coso. Cheeeeeer - afowen, Jan 13, 2011

Yeah, but more important is that athough it sort of means the same thing, "coso" in that context is used exclusively to mean "thingie", "doodad", "whatchamacallit" - rather than "thing". - Gekkosan, Jan 13, 2011

Answer 3

Can anyone shed any light?