Cockroaches (Re: "kook")

[Otto Sell]

La Cucaracha

La cucaracha, la cucaracha
Ya no puede caminar
Porque le falta, porque no tiene
Marihuana que fumar

Did they really teach you these lyrics as a kid?
Yes, yes, the grass is greener in Adelaide!

"La Cucaracha" was Pancho Villa's nickname and his habitually red eyes did
not result from thinking.

Otto

----- Original Message -----
From: jbor <jbor at bigpond.com>
To: <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2001 1:06 PM
Subject: Cockroaches (Re: "kook")


>
> ----------
> >From: <lycidas2 at earthlink.net>
> >
>
> >>
> >> I don't think that the names "Kook" or Cucarachito, when used by his
friends
> >> and family, are either meant or taken offensively.
> >
> > I'm not sure. Perhaps P has selected this name to play off
> > the stereotypes. So the name, cucarichito (only noted once)
> > is not so much part of the story, as a subversive naming by
> > the author.  It could be a name affectionately given to the
> > boy when he was tiny. "My little mouse", "my little bug." We
> > can't say. But, while Pynchon may like bugs, cockroaches,
> > little or big, are not well liked in NYC.
>
> See also 362.25 and 364.7: "Cucarachita".
>
> Can't find the English lyrics anywhere, but I certainly remember being
> taught 'La Cucaracha' as a kid.
>
>
http://www.mty.itesm.mx/dcic/carreras/lcc/cine_mex/peliculas/cucaracha.html
> http://www.tue.nl/best/songbook/spanish.htm
> http://www.eaglerock-is.com/ilovelucy/ill-x2.asp
> http://www.cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/culture/messages/1/1680.shtml
> http://www.the-forum.com/EPHEMERA/popsong.htm
> (see 1936)
>
> best
>
>