Povo is an Australian slang term that means “poor” or is used to describe someone or something related to poverty. It is derived from the word “poverty” and is often used in a derogatory or self-deprecating manner.

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Povo is slang, originally from Australia, meaning “poor”.

Answered from Alchemist

What Does Povo Mean?

Table of Contents:

• Examples of Povo Usage in Slang and Jokes
• Noun vs. Adjective Usages and Distinctions
• Linguist Perspectives on the Evolution of Povo
• Use of Povo in Brazilian Literature
• Explanation of the “Povo-Brazil” Cultural Movement
• Comparing Povo to Similar Brazilian Slang Like “Favelado”
• Povo and “Jeitinho Brasileiro” for Skirting Rules
• Negative Connotations and Prejudices Around Povo
• Native Brazilian Perspectives on Using Povo
• “Povo-Pop” Art Celebrating Brazilian Working Class Culture
• Povo Everyman Represented by Characters Like Mane Garrincha
• The Role of Povo During Brazil's Military Dictatorship
• Carnaval as Political Street Parties for the Povo
• Importance of Samba and Soccer to Povo Identity

Examples of Povo Usage in Slang and Jokes

Some examples of povo in pop culture:

• “Eita povo!” expressing surprise.
• “Povo fica ligado…” telling people to pay attention.
• “Esse cara é muito povo…” describing someone ordinary.
• “Vou fazer uma comida povão hoje” meaning basic, simple food.

Brazilians creatively work povo into slang and satire.

Noun vs. Adjective Usages and Distinctions

As a noun, povo refers directly to working class people.

As adjective, it describes something or someone as basic, crude, simple, etc.

So “o povo” means the people, while “música povo” means folksy music.

Linguist Perspectives on the Evolution of Povo

Linguistics scholars trace povo's progression:

• Originally a formal Portuguese word that gained slang meaning through colloquial adoption.
• Provides insight into how niche regional terms spread more widely.
• Shows how language reinforces social class consciousness.
• Illustrates the fluidity of word meanings over time.

Use of Povo in Brazilian Literature

Notable uses of povo in books include:

• Jorge Amado's stories set in Bahian favelas among the povo.
• Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed discussing empowering the povo through education.
• Machado de Assis' satirical novels poking fun at upper class disdain for the povo.

So povo conveyed Brazil's stark class divides in literature.

Explanation of the “Povo-Brazil” Cultural Movement

Povo-Brazil refers to:

• Mid-20th century arts, music and film celebrating povo culture.
• Captured the lives of everyday Brazilians, often in favelas.
• Musicians like Zé Keti created a new samba style fused with povo slang.
• Filmmakers documented the vibrant energy of this working class movement.

So povo-Brazil conveyed a sense of national identity.

Comparing Povo to Similar Brazilian Slang Like “Favelado”

Favelado is another Brazilian slang term for:

• Someone living in a favela (slum/shantytown).
• It specifically connotes poorer slum conditions.
• Povo has broader scope beyond just favela residents.
• Favelado can have more negative implications than povo.

Povo and “Jeitinho Brasileiro” for Skirting Rules

Jeitinho Brasileiro refers to the Brazilian penchant for circumventing laws or formality.

Some link this attitude to:

• Povo finding creative ways to get by despite inequality and lack of access.
• Being forced to bend rules points to flaws of Brazilian society.
• Can enable corruption, so merits debate.

But povo ingenuity persists.

Negative Connotations and Prejudices Around Povo

While often celebratory, povo also carries problematic associations like:

• Assuming povo are uncultured compared to elites.
• Dismissing legitimate povo grievances as complaining.
• Stereotyping the poor rather than addressing conditions.
• Excusing lack of educational access because someone is “just povo.”

So the term risks justifying classist attitudes.

Native Brazilian Perspectives on Using Povo

According to Brazilians:

“I say ‘povo' to mean everyday working people, those without privilege.”

“It can be endearing to call someone povo if they are humble and down-to-earth.”

“But povo can also have a negative connotation of coarse, unsophisticated.”

“Some use it satirically to mock upper class consumerism and pretension.”

“Povo-Pop” Art Celebrating Brazilian Working Class Culture

Povo-pop describes visual art that:

• Depicts povo culture in energetic, colorful styles.
• Features povo artifacts, foods, traditions and locales.
• Done in media from samba album covers to street art.
• Combines povo motifs with pop art's commercial aesthetics.

So povo-pop aimed to elevate Brazilian working class contributions.

Povo Everyman Represented by Characters Like Mane Garrincha

Famed Brazilian soccer player Mane Garrincha embodied povo values:

• Grew up very poor in a Rio de Janeiro favela.
• Despite his short stature and injuries, his skill made him a national hero.
• Played with joy and improvisation that dazzled crowds.
• Remained known for his humble povo roots despite fame.

As a povo everyman, Garrincha's legacy resonates in Brazil.

The Role of Povo During Brazil's Military Dictatorship

During the 1964-85 dictatorship, the povo:

• Bore the brunt of political repression and disappeared dissidents.
• Developed a culture of resistance through music, Afro-Brazilian religions.
• Protested shortages, high prices and inequality.
• Remained committed to democracy and liberation.

So the povo were central to enduring that turbulent era.

Carnaval as Political Street Parties for the Povo

Brazil's huge Carnaval celebrations have long had political significance:

• Emerging in the 1800s as a manifestation of resistance.
• Allowed the povo to parade and celebrate their Afro-Brazilian culture.
• Provided a space for satirical mockery of the elite ruling class.
• Persists today as a vibrant povo cultural tradition.

Importance of Samba and Soccer to Povo Identity

Two touchstones of Brazilian povo culture:

Samba music:

• Born in Rio's favelas, samba has povo roots.
• Samba lyrics use povo slang, discuss realities of favela life.
• Big samba schools are community institutions.

Soccer:

• Most popular sport, accessible to all.
• Stars like Pele and Neymar came from povo backgrounds.
• The povo fill stadiums, embrace soccer as cultural pride.

So samba and soccer unite Brazil's povo.

Conclusion

In summary, “povo” refers to the working class common people in Brazilian slang, with nuances of humble origins and simple lifestyles, though potential for negative connotations exist as well. Tracing povo illuminates Brazil's distinctive culture.

Reference

[1] https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Povo
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/p2sbh6/how_do_you_use_the_term_povo_the_most/
[3] https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Talk:povo
[4] https://www.yha.com.au/travel-and-tours/traveller-stories/the-20-aussie-slang-words-you-need-to-know/
[5] https://www.vulture.com/2013/11/handy-guide-to-jamies-jamiezing-vocabulary.html
[6] https://ausizealand.com/exploring-the-povo-meaning/
[7] https://www.buzzfeed.com/ishabassi/outdated-australian-slang-words