The Objective
El insólito origen de la expresión «de pe a pa» que usamos sin pensarlo
Cada vez que decimos que conocemos algo «de pe a pa», estamos expresando que hemos abarcado un asunto completamente, con todos sus detalles. Esta loc…
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Linguistic Expert Debunks Viral Myth About "De Pe a Pa" Idiom Origin
In a recent online video, popular content creator Alfred López-Curiosísimo, known for his linguistic insights, addressed and debunked a prevalent misconception regarding the Spanish idiom "de pe a pa." The video, which has garnered significant attention, directly refutes the false claim that the phrase originates from "penetration to birth," a notion that has been widely circulated on social media platforms. López-Curiosísimo clarified that the true etymology of "de pe a pa" dates back to the 17th century. He explained that the expression is a shortened form of "de P. a P.," which was used by ancient copyists to signify that they had transcribed a text "de palabra a palabra" (word for word). This meticulous approach ensured that every detail was copied precisely, leaving no word or element overlooked. "What the previous video explains is a lie," López-Curiosísimo stated, referring to the incorrect viral content. "'De pe a pa' does not come from 'penetration to birth'; that's nonsense someone invented and is being shared on social media, but it's not true." He emphasized that the idiom refers to knowing something "todo entero" (all of it) or copying something "con todo tipo de detalle" (with every type of detail). "They indicated that they had copied everything with every type of detail, that they hadn't left out a single word, word for word," he added. The linguistic expert highlighted the importance of accurate information, especially concerning cultural and historical aspects of language, urging viewers to "stop bulos" (stop hoaxes) and be vigilant against misinformation.
