pesto

English translation: unholy mess

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:pesto
English translation:unholy mess
Entered by: Wendy Gosselin

15:07 Jan 7, 2021
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / lunfardo
Spanish term or phrase: pesto
This is from a script by an Argentine filmmaker. It certainly does NOT refer to the pasta sauce. One character, upon seeing another who has just gotten out of prison, says:
Fue un desastre.Es un milagro que estés vivo.
Hay un pesto bárbaro, te aviso

Seems to mean a big mess...any more specific ideas?
Thanks
Wendy Gosselin
Argentina
Local time: 07:07
unholy mess
Explanation:
I think you're right - a mess (possibly make it stronger, such as my suggestion of 'unholy mess', or similar). See the wordreference forum discussion linked below, most specifically the response which reads: "Pesto es una palabra perteneciente a la jerga argentina y uruguaya con significado identico en ambos paises. Quiere decir en primer lugar, paliza, en sentido real o figurado y, en segundo, superioridad en el terreno futbolístico".
Selected response from:

Jeremy Smith
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:07
Grading comment
thanks, like the addition of unholy
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4unholy mess
Jeremy Smith
4this could be understood as 'kilombo' en Argentina. Meaning unrest
Sandy T
Summary of reference entries provided
Ref:
Jane Martin
Taña Dalglish

Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
unholy mess


Explanation:
I think you're right - a mess (possibly make it stronger, such as my suggestion of 'unholy mess', or similar). See the wordreference forum discussion linked below, most specifically the response which reads: "Pesto es una palabra perteneciente a la jerga argentina y uruguaya con significado identico en ambos paises. Quiere decir en primer lugar, paliza, en sentido real o figurado y, en segundo, superioridad en el terreno futbolístico".


    https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/pesto.1402223/
Jeremy Smith
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:07
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
thanks, like the addition of unholy
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
this could be understood as 'kilombo' en Argentina. Meaning unrest


Explanation:
Pesto is not such a common word in Buenos Aires anymore.. The popular word is 'kilombo' meaning big mess. If you could please provide more context.
The fact that the character says "Hay un pesto bárbaro' as opposed to "nos dieron, te dieron (because he is lucky to be alive) tells me we can't use the word 'paliza'. But I maybe wrong, hence the request for more context.

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Note added at 2 hrs (2021-01-07 17:45:52 GMT)
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spelt 'quilombo' as well.

Sandy T
United States
Local time: 06:07
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish, Native in EnglishEnglish
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Reference comments


13 mins
Reference: Ref:

Reference information:
"pesto" en glosario de jergas y modismos de Argentina:
(ital.) Igual que pestiyo.
https://que-significa.com/significado.php?termino= pesto

Jane Martin
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 22
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49 mins
Reference

Reference information:
https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/pesto.1402223/
Pesto es una palabra perteneciente a la jerga argentina y uruguaya con significado identico en ambos paises. Quiere decir en primer lugar, paliza, en sentido real o figurado y, en segundo, superioridad en el terreno futbolístico, tal como afirma Piraña.

En fin, pesto: 2. Golpiza, paliza, castigo violento.

Taña Dalglish
Jamaica
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 24

Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
neutral  Sandy T: Perdon, pero dudo que signifique 'paliza o golpiza' en este contexto... Dice 'hay un pesto bárbaro'...en Argentina no diríamos 'hay una paliza'..
1 hr
  -> Thank you. However, if you noticed in the first place, I included the link as a reference only (an aid to the Asker). Not for one moment did I suggest "golpiza, paliza" which clearly do not fit the context! That is why it is merely a brainstorming ref.
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