Gaucho

Gaucho (Spanish: [ˈɡautʃo]) or gaúcho (Portuguese: [ɡaˈuʃu]) is a word with several meanings. In its historical sense a gaucho was "A mestizo who, in the 18th and 19th centuries, inhabited Argentina, Uruguay and Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil". Today, in Argentina and Uruguay, a gaucho is simply "A country person, experienced in traditional cattle ranching work". Because historical gauchos were reputed to be brave, if unruly, the word is also applied metaphorically to mean "Noble, brave and generous", but also "One who is skilful in subtle tricks, crafty". In Portuguese the word gaúcho (note the accent) means "An inhabitant of the plains of Rio Grande do Sul or the pampas of Argentina descended from European man and [Amer]Indian woman who devotes himself to lassoing and raising cattle and horses".

Gaucho is an equivalent of the North American "cowboy" (vaquero, in Spanish), the Chilean huaso, the Peruvian chalan, the Cuban guajiro, the Puerto Rican jibaro, the Venezuelan or Colombian llanero, the Ecuadorian chagra, the Hawaiian paniolo, and the Mexican charro, which are terms that often connote the 19th century more than the present day; then, gauchos made up the majority of the rural population, herding cattle on the vast estancias, and practicing hunting as their main economic activities.

Gaúcho (song)

Gaúcho or Corta Jaca is the Brazilian tango (maxixe) composed by Chiquinha Gonzaga, her most recorded song. It was a song from the burlesque operetta Zizinha Maxixe first staged in 1895.

The original title being Gaucho, the song had the subtitle Dança do Corta-jaca. Eventually Corta jaca had become the best known titile of the song. The dance in question is a Brazilian traditional dance, characterized by energetic individual spins, gymnastic moves, and percussive footwork. The expression "corta jaca" literally means "cut the jackfruit" and has a sexual innuendo, seen in the number Gaúcho itself.

The song caused a minor scandal when the Second Lady of Brazil, Nair de Teffé, performed in on guitar in public in 1914.

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Gaúcho (footballer)

Luís Carlos Tóffoli, usually nicknamed Gaúcho (born March 7, 1964), is a former Brazilian football center forward. He was noted for his heading ability.

Career

Born in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, after spending his youth years in Rio de Janeiro club Flamengo, Gaúcho began his professional career in 1984 at Grêmio. In 1985 he transferred to Atlético Goianiense. In 1986, he played for XV de Piracicaba, then, one year later, he moved to Santo André where he stayed until mid 1988.

From 1988 to 1989, he played for Palmeiras. On November 17, 1988 during a Campeonato Brasileiro Série A match against Flamengo, after goalkeeper Zetti got injured, he was the one selected to replaced him. During the penalty shootout, after the match ended in a 1-1 draw in regular time, he saved two Flamengo penalties, and Palmeiras won 5-4.

In 1990 he signed a three-year deal with Flamengo. Back in his youth club, he won 1990 Copa do Brasil, 1991 Rio State Championship and 1992 Série A. During this period he played 198 matches and scored 98 goals. At the end of his contract he joined Italian Serie A side Lecce, where he failed to make a breakthrough with only five games played. He left the club after half-season and signed with Boca Juniors where once again he failed to repeat his good performances.