What's it for?

Question

I've always wondered what the "las" actually is in expressions like "arreglárselas" and "apañárselas". Something feminine and plural... What the heck is that supposed to refer to??? I would be truly grateful for any input from native and non-native speakers alike. I know they're just set phrases, but still I'd like to find out more in detail.

Welcome to SpanishDict. - rac1, Jan 19, 2017

Answer 1

Okay, I have come up with a new guess:

las= las cosas

I can find a source to agree:

enter link description here

For example, in the expression arreglarselas, "to get by" or "to manage," las might possibly refer to cosas.

For the other, this is interesting:

http://forum.wordreference.com/threads/la-he-liado-parda.1087645/

If you search YouTube with "la he liado parda", you'll get the video straightaway.

The interview came out maybe 6-7 years ago, and in it a young girl who was working as a summertime pool attendant explains how she accidentally mixed chlorine with the wrong pool chemicals and caused a massive cloud of poisonous vapour to come billowing out of the pool. I think the neighbourhood had to be evacuated. The poor girl gave an interview and during it she said, "Que vamos que la he liado parda" in a frustrated attempt to try and explain which chemicals she has mixed together. The effect is highly comical because she tries to explain what she did, but doesn't really have the vocabulary or chemistry know-how or terminology to express it precicely. So she ends up telling the story in colloquial Spanish (ending with "la he liado parda") and all the while you see the flashing emergy vehicles in the background and images of toxic clouds... you have to watch it to appreciate it.

Before this video went viral, the saying was previously unknown in many parts of Spain, being more typical to this girl's region (around Valencia if I'm not mistaken).

But now, as the user Pavlorpvo correctly says, thanks to the video, the phrase "la he liado parda" has acquired a whole new dimension and has become firmly embedded in Spanish popular culture/language. It's now often used among friends in comical/fun/funny situations, from going out partying and getting drunk to making a mistake of any sort.

As to the gender, "la" refers to "situación" or "cosa", which is feminine, as Rastrom also mentions:

I had no idea about the story behind the expression "liarla". I learned a whole lot, so thank you very much. - Makotito, Jan 20, 2017

Just to make 100% sure, can you translate "La he liado parda." into equivalent English...? I'd be truly grateful. - Makotito, Jan 20, 2017

Answer 2

This definition seems to indicate that the las could derive from las dificultades. I would imagine the other could be the same. I think it may be so fixed that many do not know the derivation.

http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=arreglárselas

arreglárselas loc verb (superar dificultades) cope, manage vi

(colloquial) get by vi phrasal

Como no había camas para todos, se las arreglaron poniendo colchones en el suelo.

I'm one of those who doesn't know the derivation. I just never thought about it. Jejeje. - Daniela2041, Jan 19, 2017

But I'm going to do some digging and find out. Not that I doubt your answer, I just want to go further. - Daniela2041, Jan 19, 2017

Thanks, mine is on the level of best guess, not knowledge. :) - bosquederoble, Jan 19, 2017

Thanks guys. Please keep going. - Makotito, Jan 19, 2017

I have added one that I think more likely. :) - bosquederoble, Jan 20, 2017

Answer 3

Likewise, the "la" in "liarla" mystifies me as well. What could it be?

Answer 4

Thanks guys. Please keep going.