The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IN PUERTO RICO YOU NEVER USE THE EXPRESSION, "SU MADRE".
WHILE THIS MEANS "YOUR MOTHER" YOU MUST USE THE FORM,
"SU MAMA". YOU WOULD ASK, "?DONDE ESTA SU MAMA?" IF YOU
PUT IT THE OTHER WAY, YOU WILL BE GUILTY OF MAKING SOME
OBSCURE KIND OF ALLEGATION AGAINST THE PERSON'S MOTHER.

Submitter comment: I WAS UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHERE THIS CAME FROM. THE WORD, MADRE, IS PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE TO USE ANY OTHER WAY

Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; HATO REY

Date learned: 00001962 ca.