fiebre del oro
Lemma Details
Translation: gold fever; gold rush
Part of Speech: noun phrase
Etymology: The phrase 'fiebre del oro' combines 'fiebre' (fever, from Latin 'febris') and 'oro' (gold, from Latin 'aurum', which also gave us English words like 'auric' and 'aureate'). The construction mirrors the English 'gold fever' and refers to the frenzied excitement and obsession with finding gold that characterized historical gold rushes. The metaphorical use of 'fever' to describe intense excitement or obsession is present in both languages.
Commonality: 40%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
La fiebre del oro de California atrajo a miles de personas en 1849.
The California Gold Rush attracted thousands of people in 1849.
Durante la fiebre del oro, muchos abandonaron sus hogares con la esperanza de hacerse ricos.
During the gold rush, many abandoned their homes hoping to get rich.
La fiebre del oro transformó pequeños pueblos en ciudades prósperas.
The gold fever transformed small towns into prosperous cities.
Mnemonics
- Think of someone with a high fever (fiebre) who's delirious and obsessed with finding gold (oro).
- Picture a thermometer rising like gold prices during a gold rush.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
The term is often used in historical contexts, particularly when referring to the California Gold Rush of 1849 or similar events in Latin American history. It appears in literature, historical texts, and discussions about economic booms driven by resource discovery. In Spanish-speaking countries with mining histories like Mexico, Peru, and Chile, this phrase carries significant historical resonance.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Fiebre del oro' refers to the obsession with finding gold, while 'fiebre amarilla' is the disease yellow fever.
Confused word:
La fiebre amarilla es una enfermedad transmitida por mosquitos.
Yellow fever is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Notes: Both phrases start with 'fiebre' (fever) but refer to completely different concepts - one metaphorical and one literal.
Mnemonic: 'Amarilla' means yellow, referring to the disease that causes yellowing of the skin; 'oro' means gold, referring to the precious metal people were rushing to find.