Papai Noel
Portuguese
Alternative forms
- Papa Noel, Papá Noel (obsolete)
- Papai Noël (superseded)
Etymology
Partial calque of French Père Noël. First attested in 1898 as Papá Noel and 1901 as Papai Noël.
Pronunciation
- (Brazil) IPA(key): /paˈpaj noˈɛw/ [paˈpaɪ̯ noˈɛʊ̯]
Proper noun
Papai Noel m (plural Papais Noéis)
- (Brazil, folklore) Santa Claus (mythological man who brings gifts to children during Christmas)
- Synonym: (Portugal) Pai Natal
- 1898 December 25, “Chronica”, in Gazeta de Noticias, volume XXIV, number 359, Rio de Janeiro, page 1, column 2:
- Ah, se o meigo Papá Noel tambem se aventurasse por estas callidas regiões do Brasil, n'esta doce noite de Natal!
- Alas, the lovely Santa Claus also ventured into these warm regions of Brazil, on this sweet Christmas night!
- 1901 December 22, “Sabot de Noël”, in Gazeta de Noticias, volume XXVIII, number 356, Rio de Janeiro, page 2, column 2:
- 6º quatro — Papai Noël, Sr. Carneiro da Rocha.
- (please add an English translation of this quotation)
- 1925, Armando Erse de Figueiredo, O Despenhadeiro, Porto: Livraria Chardron, page 92:
- Foi o Arnaldo que, há dias, me meteu na cabeça essa história de Papai Noel. Nunca eu tinha ouvido tal nome.
- It was Arnaldo who, days ago, has got this Santa Claus story in my head. I've never heard of such a name.