We explain what is tormenting, the various theories that exist about the origin of this term and the different meanings it has.
What is tormenting?
The tormenting term is about a lunfardesque voice that was incorporated into the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy. According to this, it means street, lazy, homeless and who, generally, lives as a beggar.
The origin of this term cannot be known exactly, however, there are several theories that try to explain its beginnings, one of the most used and that has spread from voice to voice is that during the year 1860, in Buenos Aires.
Theory about the origin of the tormenting word
This was because a construction work had to be done for the piping of waters currents, for this it was necessary to use huge drainage pipes that were located in the coastal areas of this province. In these pipes the "vagabonds" began to become more and more present, who settled there to have a place where they could be at least a few hours a day.
The fact The most important thing is that the drainage pipes had a mark inscribed called "A.Torrant", That's where the term tormenting comes from and the meaning was given to those vagrants who roamed those places. It is important to note that it is a rumor that has spread over the years and it is not possible to know if it is really true or not.
Many writers and historians confirm that there has never been a business called A.Torrent that was linked to the sanitary works of the town from Buenos Aires.
Nor is the word tormenting cited by authors of the last century who were in charge of studying vagrancy and other terms related to it. Some affirm that it is only a one hundred percent Buenos Aires expression and that it does not have many more explanations to add.
Meanwhile, the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy recognizes this word as typical of Argentina and Uruguay, where its meaning is vague, lazy, etc.
Another explanation that emerged is that at the time of slavery in the Río de La Plata they put their workers To roast coffee beans, correctly stated, this activity is called "roasting."
Thus, when slaves decided to take a break, it was said that they were "tormenting", a form by which the term tormenting would later arise, which would refer to those who did not want to work and did not fulfill their obligations.
Other uses of "tormenting"
At other times, the word tormenting, used as adjective, wants to refer to feeling heat, that something is very hot. However, this expression is rarely used by women. persons and authors, that is, no one expresses himself with "the sun is too tormenting", it is commonly said "the sun is very strong or atrocious."
Many conclusions have known each other and one of them is that the term tormenting has its origin in Spain and that it was taken to America by Spanish immigrants.
Despite all the meanings that were passing throughout the historyMost people, especially in Argentina and Uruguay, use the word tormenting to refer to a lazy, lazy person who has no desire to work, much less to support himself.
It is also common to call someone who happens to be with several women at the same time tormenting, someone who is considered a liar and who usually attends many parties.
This word is not always taken as something negative. Many times an individual is classified as tormenting for possessing a certain level of charisma and cunning, which is why he would not be referring to someone as vagabond or lazy.
There are several songs where they name this expression, one of them, well known, is the one that the well-known singer Joaquín Sabina dedicates to his great friend Joan Manuel Serrat. The song is titled as "Atorrante Universal". According to the author's explanations, he tells of the great admiration he feels for his friend.