Correr = to fire

Question

So I heard at work today "He oído que van a correrla" for they are going to fire her. All the mexicans agreed that correr was a synonym for despedir in addition to it's other meanings.

Can everyone confirm this>? Our dictionary says nothing about it, and the rae says 45 things, some are like this:

Navegar en popa o a un largo, con poca o ninguna vela, a causa de la mucha fuerza del viento.

I don't even know what "en popa o a un largo" means in that sentence. (with small or no sail, because of the great strength of the wind)

Answer 1

I heard it so much from Mexicans that I didn't know there was another way to say it for a very long time.

RAE #28. tr. echar (? deponer a alguien de su empleo).

Glad I was hearing it right. Everyone advocates the RAE but even though I read pretty well, it's always daunting to dig through that big dusty book, even if it is on the internet. :;) - jeezzle, May 27, 2011

Answer 2

I've heard "correr" used in more casual speech and read it in the yellow press, but I agree with Pacofinkler that "despedir" is used in more formal situations or the more "high brow" publications.

I have also heard "botar" and "echar" used for "fire".

It would be like using "to sack" someone from his job vs. "to fire" someone from his job.

"handed the envelope" with your final pay inside - pacofinkler, May 27, 2011

I have missed you mountaingirl where have you been - pacofinkler, May 27, 2011

That is what I want to know! hehe :) - Destroyed99, May 28, 2011

Answer 3

Interesting, "despedir" is the local usage here in Chihuahua.

On the sailing subject the Spanish ships of the time had so much hull area above the waterline that a small sail or no sail would propel them in a strong wind or a storm. La popa is the high afterdeck of the old spanish ship.