"echar porras"

Question

Meaning of the Mexican expression "echar porras"?

Answer 1

Echarle porras a alguien means to encourage someone. For example:

¡Vamos a echarle porras a Juan para que gane la carrera!

Let's encourage John so he wins the race!

I guess this phrase came from cheerleader, which in spanish is porrista.

But haow can they cheer if they are legless from smoking pot ,or possibly throwing sticks around? - annierats, Jul 17, 2013

we don't have cheerleaders.. - annierats, Jul 17, 2013

I don't know if they have cheerleaders in México, but porra is the thing porristas has :P I haven't heard that phrase meaning smoking, maybe that's porro? at least that's what it is call here - aileribel, Jul 17, 2013

Así es: "Porra" en México es un grupo de partidarios que en actos públicos apoyan ruidosamente a los suyos o rechazan a los contrarios (RAE) - 005faa61, Jul 17, 2013

Answer 2

I did some searching on the internet, and the most common translations that I found of the word echar was to throw. And the most common translation of porras was baton. So my best guess is that it means to throw batons.

You get my vote! - annierats, Jul 17, 2013

Answer 3

aileribel is correct, +10 for you!

Two of my Mexican buddies confirmed that echar porras means to cheer, as in to cheer someone on.

Although porro or churro is a joint. And don't get churros confused with churro, because churros are meant to be eaten.

Answer 4

I have no personal experience, but I don't think it's Mexican, in particular, I think it just means ' smoke pot' ( grass/hierba).

Personally I stick to wine. It tastes better.