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Reader Question – Rubens Albano Verona, Mariana, MG
It emerged in England in the 17th century and has changed according to the various definitions of the word “play”. Around 1620, the verb carried the meaning of “acting” and the expression characterized theater actors. Only after the 1st World War did it gain the sense of “fun”, indicating the bohemian lifestyle of wealthy young Europeans. At the end of the 20th century, the term gained another definition: this time, using “play” in the sense of “touching” and “playing” to refer to athletes and musicians.
In Brazil, the North American cultural influence was largely responsible for the popularization of the term, which only arrived here at the end of the 60s. It became synonymous with unruly life among bachelors in the Southeast region and later spread to other states. After the New Orthographic Agreement, the word even gained a place in the main Brazilian dictionaries.
Brazil-sil-sil!
Jorginho Guinle was the biggest national playboy, known for his parties at the Copacabana Palace and for saying that he had an affair with Marilyn Monroe
Saudi Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd is considered the greatest playboy in the world. For a family holiday to Ibiza, he needs three planes.
SOURCES: Oxford Dictionary and Houaiss Dictionary
CONSULTANCY: Nancy Casagrande, professor and coordinator of the Letters Course: Degree in Portuguese at PUC-SP