Germanía

Germanía is the Spanish term for the argot used by criminals or in jails in Spain during 15th and 16th centuries. Its purpose is to keep outsiders out of the conversation. The ultimate origin of the word is the Latin word germanus, through Catalan germà (brother). Some documentation for it occurs in picaresque works as early as the Spanish Golden Century, such as in Quevedo's El Buscón. Some writers used it in poetry for comical effect.

Germanía

Germanía is the Spanish term for the argot used by criminals or in jails in Spain during 15th and 16th centuries. Its purpose is to keep outsiders out of the conversation. The ultimate origin of the word is the Latin word germanus, through Catalan germà (brother). Some documentation for it occurs in picaresque works as early as the Spanish Golden Century, such as in Quevedo's El Buscón. Some writers used it in poetry for comical effect.