vira-lata

Portuguese

Etymology

Vira + Lata. Literally "he who turns the [trash] bin over"

Noun

1. mutt (a dog of mixed breed).
2. stray (dog that lives at large, without an owner)
3. (very offensive) mongrel (person of mixed race)
4. a Brazilian who dislikes his own country and culture and/or have preference for foreign things/customs over Brazilian ones. This term originated from Nelson Rodrigues' description of Mongrel Complex (Complexo de Vira-lata), the people's tendency to view their own country in a negative way.

   Eu tenho que sair desse Brasil. Eu odeio esse país.

   I have to leave Brazil. I hate this country.

   Vai tarde, vira-lata.

   Good riddance, mutt.

Adjective

vira-lata m or f (plural vira-latas)

1. (of a domestic animal, especially a dog) mongrel (of mixed breed)