complexo de vira-lata
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Portuguese
[edit]Alternative forms
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Literally, “mongrel/street dog complex”. Coined by Brazilian writer Nelson Rodrigues as complexo de vira-latas to describe the lack of self-confidence among Brazilian sportsmen competing internationally.
Pronunciation
[edit]
Noun
[edit]complexo de vira-lata m (uncountable)
- (Brazil) the national inferiority complex of Brazil; the conscious or subconscious belief among some Brazilians that the society, culture, people and government of Brazil are inherently inferior
- Synonym: vira-latismo
- Milton Neves, Rubinho e os vira-latas in April 2005, Placar Magazine, 1281st edition, Editora Abril, page 26:
- Quando Nélson Rodrigues decretou que o Brasil não ganhava Copa do Mundo porque nossos jogadores tinham complexo de vira-lata, será que ele não estava definindo também futuros analistas de esporte a motor?
- When Nelson Rodrigues declared that Brazil wasn’t winning World Cups because our players had a mongrel complex, couldn’t he also have been describing future motor sport commentators?