cuando los cerdos vuelen - en colombia ;-}

Question

There is a colloquial saying in Spain that is a response to a question. The answer means that it will never happen. It is quite cute. "cuando las ranas críen pelo" - which loosely translated means When frogs grow hair. I think it is funny. In English, we have a similar expression "When pigs fly". Is there a similar expression in "South America (and maybe specifically Colombia) that is used?

Answer 1

Hi Creagan!

We have a few ways to mean that "it will never happen" in Colombia:

Actually, almost all of the above

¡Ni por el chiras!

¡Ni de fundas!

¡Ni de vainas!

¡Cuando llueva pa rriba!

Y por supuesto

¡Cuando San Juan agache el dedo!

¡Gracias! - creagan, Sep 23, 2017

Con gusto :) - 00376109, Sep 23, 2017

Me encanta Cuando llueva pa rriba. - polenta1, Sep 23, 2017

:) - 00376109, Sep 24, 2017

Answer 2

Hi Creagan, I am going to call native speakers to this thread, coffeelate is from Colombia , she will know

Gracias. I just found another (from the teachers forum) Cuando San Juan agache el dedo. Some are saying it is common. Kinda funny, too. - creagan, Sep 22, 2017

It's an old saying :) But yes! Very common! - 00376109, Sep 23, 2017

I really want to use this. I think it is hilarious. I'll try it out on a friend next week when we meet again... if I can get him to ask me something unreasonable. ;-} - creagan, Sep 24, 2017

Answer 3

A friend posted this question in the Columbian English Teacher's forum. Here are three answers but I'm not sure if they are made up or if they are actually used.

Ni por el chiras (this actually may be used - maybe not commonly) Cuando el sapo eche plumas (this sounds 'made up' but might be legit. Cuando llueva pa arriba. (same as #2)

Answer 4

Evidently they have heard about pigs flying in Spain. Here's a graphic from "Desmotivaciones.es"

Answer 5

Hello!

Here's a link from the wordreference that have responses from Spain & the Southern Cone (Argentina & Uruguay). Cuando las ranas críen pelo

Hope this helps.

Regards!

You are a wizard! - Echoline, Sep 21, 2017

Thank you! - NKM1974, Sep 21, 2017

Thanks for the link - it is interesting that others are wondering, too. I'm afraid the link doesn't help with the question, though. Still good. - creagan, Sep 22, 2017