Encyclopedia Dominicana
A
- Apagones:
Outages, referring to the daily power outages. Generally, for those connected to the
public grid (the vast majority of Dominicans outside of the few localized tourist
zones), the power is out for 12-16 hours a day and comes on for about 3-5 hours at a
time. There is no set schedule for the outages nor a guaranteed duration of service.
B
- Beisbol:
The Dominican national sport. Loved by all, played by many.
C
- Cornflae:
Corn flakes. A name for cereal of whatever type.
D
E
F
- Fritos Verdes:
Green plantains peeled, sliced, and fried. Served salted and with ketchup. A Carribean
version of the french fry and often just as tasty. Sometimes referred to as tostones.
G
- Greca:
A percolator. Used to make very tasty coffee.
- Guagua:
Any large vehicle used to transport people.
Usually refers to a minibus but also sometimes used to describe pickup trucks, school buses,
and other large buses (think Greyhound).
H
I
- Inversor:
An inverter. Basically a backup power system which, hooked to a bay of batteries, charges
and discharges stored power. Incredibly useful during the frequent outages. Owned by few,
especially in rural areas. See apagones.
J
- Jeepeta:
Any SUV. Jeepeton: Any good SUV.
K
L
- La Bandera Dominicana:
The Dominican Flag, referring to the typical
noon-time meal of rice, beans, and a piece of meat.
Often eaten 5 or more times a week. You heard me.
M
N
- Nueba Yol:
Nueva York, New York, or any other permutation thereof. Can refer
simply to the city of New York, though it is more often used
interchangeably with (or in liu of) "The United States." i.e. "I'm
coming from Chicago." "What part of New York is that in?" or "I
lived in New York for 10 years... in Connecticut."
O
P
- Polocher:
Polo shirt. A general name for a shirt, be it collared or not. Can often refer
to nicer t-shirts as well.
- Polvo:
Dust, that pernicious house guest that just won't go away. When trucks zoom
by my house, they tend to kick up plenty of this, which the breeze then blows
directly into my house. I thank the polvo for never being able to take a break
from sweeping or mopping. Also highly usefull as a topic for small talk.
- Presidente:
The national beer of the Dominican Republic, a light pilsner which often
leaves me with a headache and a desire for a better beer. May also refer
to Dr. Leonel Fernandez, but probably doesn't.
- Proyecto AVE:
Refering to the national fleet of "mobile" computer labs (about 100 total) strategically
located around the island. While the labs are actually stationary, they are
built into trailers that do indeed have wheels. Each lab contains 10 computers, a
generator, a router, and a high speed Internet connection. The project was
part of a collaboration between Verizon and the Secretary of Education,
though Verizon has now dropped support for the project (meaning no subsidized gas,
Internet, or maintenance).
- La Pulga:
Literally "the flea" and basically the equivalent of an American flea market.
Here one can find an assembly of tables filled with (usually) donated clothes
of the sort you would find in the average thrift store. You're bound to find
one or two funny t-shirts and if you look long enough, you'll find exactly
what you've always wanted. Just be ready to bargain hard for it.
Q
R
S
- Skim Ice:
Extremely delicious freezer pops sold by hawkers on the street for RD$5.
Prove utterly addicting. A great refreshment on those hot days. While all the
flavors are worth a try, Guanabana is my favorite.
T
U
V
- Viveres:
Referring to the class of starchy vegetables commonly eaten in the DR.
This includes, but is not limited to, yuca, batata (sweet potato), auyama and
buenpan. Rendered edible by boiling then salting or mixing with oily sauce.
W
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