Greek Word of the Week #9

μπουχέσας – buhesas

Not in any of my dictionaries. The online app Word Reference translates μπουχέσας as ‘blimp’. I think the word is a lot more offensive than that. The middle syllable (whether deliberately or coincidentally – I do not know) adds to its vulgarity. This is because ‘χεσ-‘ is the root of the Greek word for shit (χέζω, χέσιμο). In British English μπουχέσας might best be translated as ‘fat bastard’. Certainly, in the context that I heard it, it had that force. Word Reference also offers two synonyms, the fairly obvious χοντρομπαλάς plus τόφαλος. My reliable informant tells me μπουχέσας can also mean a coward, which makes me smile. Given its middle syllable, this makes μπουχέσας translate neatly into the Glaswegian word for coward: shitebag. Even more closely to shitebag is the everyday Greek for coward: χέστης.  My next word will unquestionably be more vulgar.

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