Lettuce.

As a precaution, this “idiom” is a little more controversial when it comes to Spanish speakers. However, I found it too interesting to not share it. At least as I’ve found in my research, some Spanish speakers have heard it and used it, and some say that it just doesn’t make sense. As an English-speaker, I don’t think it makes any sense at all, but there seem to be Spanish-speaking areas that use this phrase seriously.

So, you see “lechuga” (directly translated to lettuce) as a simple word with a blue sky and clouds and an inspiring picture that just gives off good vibes. Lettuce, though? Why is the word lettuce over this feel-god picture? Well “lechuga” can be feel-good too. Some areas of the world use the word “lechuga” as an inspiring, encouraging saying. Lechuga is a short, very interesting way to say “never give up!”

Where does this come from? Honestly, I have no idea. If you think about it though, I’ve never seen lettuce give up, or any vegetable for that matter. Lettuce sits there patiently waiting to become a nice salad, or hamburger topping, or something else. Not that it really has any other option, as it can’t move, but nonetheless, lettuce never gives up. I’m assuming that it is a more humorous way to say never give up- maybe to yell in a race, or something more fun and lighthearted. There are some cases where it probably would not be appropriate.

As for an equivalent, I’m again stumped. We have lots of encouraging phrases “don’t give up!” “you can do it!” “you got it!” “keep going!” and other similar things. But, I can’t even come up with a single word in our language that is synonymous to these phrases, much less such an inanimate object.

Maybe you guys can get closer? All I know is that next time we’re swimming a hard set in water polo, I’ll be yelling “LECHUGA!”

http://imgur.com/gallery/N2lH5