A humorous collection focused on Alcoy’s local language and expressions, many of which refer to nearby places or historical ideas. Humor and irony drive the tone, and a pocket-sized Diccionari de butxaca already brings together numerous funny terms. It has become recognizable and invites readers to laugh at themselves. This is the second installment.
Alcoy is a city full of quirks that residents of nearby towns know well. These quirks often surprise first-time visitors. Neighbors themselves notice them, and rather than feeling offended or treating them as something shameful, they take pride in them. Traditions, habits, and especially the local slang are sources of pride for every Alcoyan who values good humor and the ability to laugh at life.
The spirit shows clearly in La Moderna Typographia, a satirical site that started a decade ago. Its creators include writer Pep Jordà, journalist Javier Llopis, illustrator Manolo Antolí, and editor Xavi Cortés. The site offers distinctive Alcoy-focused content, mostly humorous, though it also includes thoughtful reflections on the city’s future. Among its pieces is the “Diccionari de butxaca” chapter, which collects original Alcoyan words and expressions with playful definitions.
The first printed edition has already appeared. This dictionary provided a basic guide to navigate the most relevant places in Alcoy without confusion, and a few days ago the second part was unveiled. The volume titled “Grau Mitjà” gathers dozens of these amusing terms and expressions, each word capable of provoking laughter in those who understand it. For readers unfamiliar with the Valencian language or with “l’alcoià,” the chapters offer a completely accessible and pedagogical way to explore concepts deeply rooted in local culture and identity.
For example, when something stays in “fifth base,” it implies that it will not be close or urgent. It is as if someone in Batoy is being directed to head toward Cotes Baixes. The phrase likely plays off the familiar “fifth pine” from Castile, though in its most profane form. Less obvious is the meaning of being called a “refetot.” It sounds like “redo,” yet it is an unkind jab implying someone carries extra pounds. The term “peixot” sometimes refers to a car in conversation. The brand’s old advertisement, stating “We are with you until the end of the world,” lives on in memory.
If someone is described as a bit “catxotxes,” the reaction is usually indifference. Those who fit this description tend to take life at a calm pace, showing no hurry, with a sense that nothing is urgent. In effect, they come across as straightforward yet courteous, ever grounded in their own rhythm.
The dictionary also mentions another term, “minso,” which describes a shy person. In Alcoyan speech, one might hear “no alça ni pols ni remolí.” Without fanfare or chitchat, it is noted that a person with this profile may be easily overlooked, which can be an interesting observation in social settings.
A final tip to avoid confusion with “Alcoià”: when someone says something, the question is often expected to be answered with a rhetorical “Obedience?”, an apocope of “Veritat?” that captures the life-long impulse toward an obvious yes. This playful convention was echoed by attendees at the dictionary’s presentation. The Diccionari, a work that knows how to laugh at life, is a signature feature of Alcoy’s people, provoking sympathy and curiosity about the city and its inhabitants.