pelar la pava

Spanish

Etymology

Literally, "to pluck the turkey". A 19th century legend from Seville claimed that a servant instructed to pluck a bird for dinner forgot her task as she started flirting with her lover by a window; when asked about her delay, she shouted she was plucking the turkey.

Verb

pelar la pava

1. (idiomatic, dated, Spain) To flirt; to engage in courtship, especially by a window or a balcony
2. (idiomatic, Spain) to gossip; to chitchat