# Don't let lactation happen to YOU! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 12, 2002, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587 "2002-07-12T08:15:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MissKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@MissKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissKitty)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/1 "2002-07-12T08:15:58Z")
I was just taking one of those lame surveys that livejournal users will be familiar with, and one of the questions was: > [@](#): > > 1. Did you know that in Spanish milk ads, the new popular slogan “Got Milk?” translates to “Are you lactating?” Unfortunately, my Spanish is pretty much nonexistent, so I can’t verify whether this is, in fact, the case. And it does seem too good to be true, along the same lines as, like, ‘bite the wax tadpole’. So, can any Spanish-speakers tell me what’s up here? Would a direct translation of ‘Got milk?’ into Spanish yield these humorous results? Did anyone actually see the ‘Are you lactating?’ ads? I, like, NEED to know about this. My future happiness may depend on it. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/2 "2002-07-12T09:43:24Z")
They’ve gotten the story wrong. The “bad” translation into Spanish was never used. From BusinessWeek: > [@](#): > > In 1993, when the California Milk Processor Board sought an advertising agency to translate its popular ‘‘Got milk?’’ campaign into Spanish, California adwoman Anita Santiago pointed out a problem. In Spanish, the question takes on a considerably different meaning: ‘‘Are you lactating?’’ Instead, Santiago suggested a folksy campaign, with the slogan ‘‘And you, have you given them milk today?’’ California’s dairy industry has been a client of Santiago’s ever since. ‘‘She’s definitely not afraid to voice her opinion. I prize that,’’ says Jeff Manning, executive director of the milk board. [http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00\_33/b3694042.htm](http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_33/b3694042.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/3 "2002-07-12T20:48:14Z")
How do you say “are you lactating?” in Spanish. And while we’re at it, how do you say “I am lactating?” Gracias. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2002, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/4 "2002-07-12T20:49:43Z")
“All your lactation are belong to us!” ---
**Author:** ![chula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@chula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chula)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/5 "2002-07-13T15:06:36Z")
There is a verb _lactar_, meaning _to lactate_. Literally, “Have you got milk?” translates as “Tienes leche?” I suppose some people could interpret the phrase as referring to lactation (i.e., someone who has milk is someone who is lactating), but it doesn’t necessarily mean that. I think a bigger problem is the number of slang phrases involving _leche_. I think it’s safe to say that milk has a stronger symbolic content in Hispanic culture and some caution should be exercised. _Leche_ can refer to semen, for one. Also, “tienes leche” can mean “you’re lucky.” Anyway, none of these phrases were used in the La Llorona ad, which ends with “Got milk?” in English. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/6 "2002-07-13T15:35:07Z")
I will avoid it to the best of my ability. ---
**Author:** ![xicanorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a88e57/32.png) [@xicanorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xicanorex)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/7 "2002-07-13T15:59:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MissKitty \* > \*\*same lines as, like, ‘bite the wax tadpole’. > So, can any Spanish-speakers tell me what’s up here? Would a direct translation of ‘Got milk?’ into Spanish yield these humorous results? \*\* Well, as Chula states “Got Milk?” translates into “¿Tienes Leche?” Which really makes much sense as “Got milk?” If you were approached before the adds appeared and were asked that question you would probably have no idea what they were asking about. This is probably the same reaction you would get from the Latino community. I am not sure of what nationality Chula is, but you got to remember that the Latino community is made up of different nationalities (it like saying European and trying to force one identity) so we may use the same word to mean one thing like leche=milk or make it mean other slang terms or regionalisms. As far _leche_ in Northern Mexico, it just means that . .milk. I have not heard it used as slang for “semen” or otherwise. XicanoreX ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/8 "2002-07-13T16:07:38Z")
What would a person in Mexico say to a grocer to ask if milk is in stock? There must be a simple way in Spanish to ask “Got milk?” without meaning “Are you lactating?” ---
**Author:** ![chula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@chula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chula)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/9 "2002-07-13T16:14:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by xicanorex \* > **As far _leche_ in Northern Mexico, it just means that . .milk. I have not heard it used as slang for “semen” or otherwise.** That’s funny - I learned that one in Mexico. Certainly slang differs from region to region, but I think it’s safe to say Hispanic culture holds images of mothers and maternity more sacred than American culture. (Actually, just about any culture does.) Another example of the use of leche: An extreme insult is “Me cago en la leche de tu puta madre.” (I don’t remember where this came from - maybe Argentina.) I can’t imagine the phrase having the same weight in English. ---
**Author:** ![xicanorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a88e57/32.png) [@xicanorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xicanorex)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/10 "2002-07-13T17:38:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by chula \* > \*\*That’s funny - I learned that one in Mexico. \*\* Well . …I am not sure where you heard it, what context, or who told you, but as far as I know (and me being Mexican, born in Mexico, raised in Mexico, and having lived in the US-Mexico border all my life for almost 30 years . .but doesn’t mean I am right, just life experience) “leche” is not used as a slang term for semen. Some one might use it in a sexual context, but is not considered a slang term as such. I have heard “chupar arroz con popote” to mean gay, or “engrudo” to mean semen, but . …who knows . . > [@](#): > > [\*\*Certainly slang differs from region to region, but I think it’s safe to say Hispanic culture holds images of mothers and maternity more sacred than American culture.(Actually, just about any culture does.) \*\* Yeah, but at least in Mexican culture we hold motherhood figure in very high regard. Examples: The highest insult in Mexico is “ching\* tu madre” or even saying “tu madre” (your mother) is enough to start a friggin’ riot. Another example, the Virgin Mary is more often depicted in religious imagery than Christ. There are even some Catholics who considerer themselves \*_Guadalupanos_ (Follower of Virgin Guadalupe). \*\* > [@](#): > > Another example of the use of leche: An extreme insult is “Me cago en la leche de tu puta madre.” (I don’t remember where this came from - maybe Argentina.) I can’t imagine the phrase having the same weight in English.\*\* Yeah, I also heard that one from an argentinan soccer player yelling at a ref (btw Chula’s statement translated into English is “I s**t in your wh_r_ mother’s milk"). In the US it’s very common to insult "hey motherf**\*\*\*” or say “yeah, I am a mofo”, but in Mexico that’s just a big, big, BIG, BIG INSULT. :eek: XicanoreX ---
**Author:** ![No\_Me\_Ayudes\_Compadre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/no_me_ayudes_compadre/32/5224_2.png) [@No\_Me\_Ayudes\_Compadre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Me_Ayudes_Compadre)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/11 "2002-07-13T21:56:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Walloon \* > \*\*What would a person in Mexico say to a grocer to ask if milk is in stock? There must be a simple way in Spanish to ask “Got milk?” without meaning “Are you lactating?” \*\* Instead of asking _¿tienes…?_ you ask _¿hay…?_, which is akin to “is there…?” Much bigger issue when asking if the egg truck has made its daily delivery. _¿Hay huevos?_ is much, much, much better than asking the shopkeeper if he has eggs with _¿Tiene huevos?_. I’ll second **Xicanorex** ’s assertion that _leche_ is not a typical euphemism for semen in Mexico. I’ve read (can’t remember where!) that the _me cago…_ meme was coined by Hemingway. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2002, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/12 "2002-07-14T04:10:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by El Mariachi Loco \* > \*\* > > _¿Hay huevos?_ is much, much, much better than asking the shopkeeper if he has eggs with _¿Tiene huevos?_. > \*\* Well, sure, if you didn’t want him to punch you in the nose… 🙂 My book of Spanish slang ( **Mierda!** by Frances Berger) doesn’t include any references to semen. Are there many slang terms for it in Spanish? ---
**Author:** ![chula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@chula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chula)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2002, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/13 "2002-07-14T07:02:49Z")
I distinctly remember sitting around with some young men who cracked themselves up asking me “Quieres leche?” then asking me if I knew what they meant. I thought it was in Mexico, but it’s possible it took place in some other country. My dictionary that I love because it includes all the bad words lists semen as a vulgar meaning of leche, along with dozens of other slang uses of the word. ---
**Author:** ![xicanorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a88e57/32.png) [@xicanorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xicanorex)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2002, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/14 "2002-07-15T23:16:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by El Mariachi Loco \* > \*\* > > Instead of asking _¿tienes…?_ you ask _¿hay…?_, which is akin to “is there…?” Much bigger issue when asking if the egg truck has made its daily delivery. _¿Hay huevos?_ is much, much, much better than asking the shopkeeper if he has eggs with _¿Tiene huevos?_. > \*\* The “problem” is that in Mexico, and specially Distrito Federal, may are into the albur (albur = double entendre) and will always find a way to make an innocuous word into some more than it is. So in order to be in the safe side, at least in our region of Northern Mexico, you would ask: ¿Tiene blanquillos? = Do you have eggs? or ¿Hay blanquillos? = Are there blanquillos Therefore to counter an _albur_, you use a non-proper word. XicanoreX ---
**Author:** ![xicanorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a88e57/32.png) [@xicanorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xicanorex)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2002, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/15 "2002-07-15T23:23:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elfkin477 \* > \*\* > > Well, sure, if you didn’t want him to punch you in the nose… 🙂 > > My book of Spanish slang ( **Mierda!** by Frances Berger) doesn’t include any references to semen. Are there many slang terms for it in Spanish? \*\* The most common one is _meco_ or at least in my region of Norther Mexico. XicanoreX ---
**Author:** ![xicanorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a88e57/32.png) [@xicanorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xicanorex)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2002, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-let-lactation-happen-to-you/118587/16 "2002-07-15T23:40:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by chula \* > \*\*My dictionary that I love because it includes all the bad words lists semen as a vulgar meaning of leche, along with dozens of other slang uses of the word. \*\* Well, I just read an internet site [www.mexico.com](http://www.mexico.com) where [leche](http://www.mexico.com/picardia/index.php?idexpresion=682) is given two meanings: 1. The domino chip that is all white . . and yes . . 1. semen . . now . .the site states that the poster of the definition is from Distrito Federal so it may be a regionalism . . who knows . . XicanoreX