Germania

Germanía or jerigonza is the term used in Spanish to refer to the argot used by criminals or in jails. Its purpose is to keep outsiders out of the conversation.

Related Topics:
Spanish - Argot - Criminals - Jails

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We already have some documentation in picaresque works from the Spanish Golden Century.

Related Topics:
Picaresque - Spanish Golden Century

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Some writers used it in poetry for comical effect.

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Since the arrival of Roma people and their frequent imprisonment, it incorporated lots of vocabulary from Romany language and its descendant, the Gipsy jargon caló. As time passed, several words entered popular use and even standard Spanish, losing their occultation value. It survives today in the cheli jargon.

Related Topics:
Roma people - Romany language - Caló - Cheli

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