Thursday, November 14, 2013

Guaio (guayo) is Taino


DID YOU KNOW: The word guaio (guayo) is a Taino term used to identify a grater used in food production. Pronounced gwa-ee-o, the word has been incorporated into regional Spanish dialects even beyond the noun, guayo, into the verb “guayar” meaning “to grate.” Traditionally, a guaio would be made from a slab of wood with sharp, small stones pounded into it, coral slabs, or stones slabs with various perforations, etc.  These various forms of guaio were often artistically elaborated. – UCTP Taino News © 2013