The Word of the Day comes from "The Adventures of China Iron" by Gabriela Cabezon Camara. It is shortlisted for the 2020 International Booker Prize.
GAUCHO
A gaucho or gaúcho (Portuguese: [ɡaˈuʃu]) is a skilled horseman, reputed to be brave and unruly. The gaucho is a national symbol in Argentina and Uruguay, but is also a strong culture in southern Brazil. Gauchos became greatly admired and renowned in legends, folklore and literature and became an important part of their regional cultural tradition.
The gaucho in some respects resembled members of other nineteenth century rural, horse-based cultures such as the North American cowboy (vaquero in Spanish), the Chilean huaso, the Peruvian chalan or morochuco, the Venezuelan or Colombianllanero, the Hawaiian paniolo, the Mexican charro or the Portuguese campino.
In its purest sense, gaucho referred to the nomadic, often outlaw inhabitants of the great plains of Argentina and Uruguay. In current usage, gaucho usually designates the rural rancher in general.
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