pata de lana
What does pata de lana mean? pata de lana is a Spanish moderate that translates to “the other man / the guy she tells you not to worry about” in English.
Literal Translation
wool foot
Meaning & Usage
"the other man / the guy she tells you not to worry about"
The man a married or committed woman is having a secret affair with.
Examples in the Wild
Gossiping about a neighbor: 'Se fue a trabajar y a los diez minutos entró el pata de lana.'
Regional Variations
When to Use It
Context
- Casual conversations with friends
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
A delightfully descriptive Argentine idiom. The 'pata de lana' (wool foot) refers to the lover wearing wool socks to sneak around the house silently without waking the husband, or slipping away quietly when he comes home early. It's a staple of Argentine humor, cumbia lyrics, and neighborhood gossip. While the act is serious, the term itself is deeply mocking of the cuckolded husband rather than just the lover.
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