que si quieres arroz, Catalina

Spanish

Etymology

Literally, “if you want [some] rice, Catalina”. The phrase is said to go back to the time of John II of Castile. The story goes that there was a lady called Catalina who was on her death bed, and all the townsfolk were continuously asking her "do you want rice, Catalina?" She didn't respond to the question and died soon thereafter. It is possible that she was ignoring the people's questions deliberately, or that she was too weak to answer. We will never know. Nor will we know if the story was real or just made up by a lexicographer.

Phrase

que si quieres arroz, Catalina

1. it fell on deaf ears; it came to nothing; nothing came of it
   • 2014, Maya Ruibarbo, ¿Sin trabajo? Pues me caso:

     Llevo tres días buscando a ese desalmado de Ari, sin éxito. He removido cielo y tierra, lo que significa todo mi barrio y parte del siguiente, pero que si quieres arroz Catalina.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

See also

• caer en saco roto