lengalenga

See also: lenga-lenga

Portuguese

FWOTD – 28 March 2016

Alternative forms

• lenga-lenga

Etymology

Onomatopoeic.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌlẽ.ɡɐˈlẽ.ɡɐ/

• Hyphenation: len‧ga‧len‧ga

Noun

lengalenga f (plural lengalengas)

1. rigmarole
2. monotonous, tiresome, droning speech
   • 1922, Aquilino Ribeiro, Cinco réis de gente, 3rd edition, Lisbon: Bertrand, page 16:

     Acabada a lengalenga, pretendi que bisasse.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

   • 2003, J. K. Rowling, translated by Lia Wyler, Harry Potter e a Ordem da Fênix [Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix] (Harry Potter; 5), Rio de Janeiro: Rocco, →ISBN, page 294:

     [...] o único professor presente quando entraram [na sala de aula] era Binns, [...] preparando-se para continuar sua monótona lengalenga sobre a guerra dos gigantes.

     [...] the only present teacher when they entered [the classroom] was Binns, [...] preparing to continue his monotonous explanation about the giants' war.

3. (Portugal) Synonym of parlenda