the term pesporrence It’s one of my favorites in the Portuguese language. Both by its spelling and its sound, it suggests something unpleasant. It is clear that pesporrence cannot be anything good. How the disgusting English. Or the terrible German.
According to dictionaries, pesporrência is synonymous with “arrogance” or “boast” (this is even more fun than pesporrence!).
To illustrate the use of the word, nothing better than two examples. The first is taken from a comment by Marco Rubio, Secretary of State in the Trump Administration, regarding the fine imposed by the European Commission on an American technology company:
“The fine […] from the European Commission is not just an attack on X: it is an attack on all American technology platforms and the American people by foreign governments.”
The second example refers to a dialogue between a businessman from Guimarães (thus “identified” in the news) and two members of the GNR:
“(…) the defendant uttered expressions such as: “Do you want me to call 30 guys here to deal with the matter? Turn off your car because I’m not going to get out of here and you’re using fuel paid for by me. What you are doing will only ruin your life. I’m a very important guy.”
And, already inside the station, he said: “Paying fines is zero. This isn’t the first time. You people next to me are nobody. I’m a man of class and you’re nobody. You’re going to pay for this. This is all illegal. I’m still going to make a few bucks from this. This is all going to waste. You’re going to have some f***ing problems.”
In Rubio’s case, the attitude of comparing a pecuniary sanction applied by an absolutely legitimate authority to a private American company, which systematically abuses its market position, with an “attack” on the American people – perhaps justifying the bombing of Brussels – is impressive, demonstrating that the money of American millionaires deserves much more consideration and protection than respect for legitimately adopted competition rules. Get used to it, this is what it means America first.
In the case of the “businessman from Guimarães”, the verbiage, which highlights a mixture of ignorance, vulgarity and cretinism, is ignoble. The threat to call “30 guys” – predictably to beat up the GNR guards – illustrates the importance of the “guy”, the “classy” man, for whom the agents of authority are no one “on the edge” of him, certainly because they live modestly and honestly from their salaries and not from State subsidies, financial skills and the exploitation of other people’s work.
The Guimarães Court sentenced him, disregarding his “category”, for two crimes of aggravated insult and disobedience, in legal terms, to 130 days of fine, at a daily rate of eight euros (1,040 euros). He was also banned from driving for four months and forced to pay each of the police officers the amount of 250 euros, plus interest. The Guimarães Relationship confirmed the decision.