The concept of iron has several uses. In some regions , it is used as a synonym for iron : the metallic chemical element whose symbol is Fe , which is part of essential substances for living beings and has multiple uses at an industrial level.
For example: “To enter the property, the thief had to force an iron fence” , “The car ended up hitting an iron gate” , “The victim would have been attacked with an iron rod” .
The idea of iron is also used to name an iron element that serves as a weapon : “The thief threatened the young man with an iron,” “In the middle of an argument on the street, a man hit another on the head with an iron” , “I had to use the iron to defend myself” .
Even in colloquial language, the term can be used in reference to a firearm : “The criminal had an iron, that's why I couldn't do anything” , “I have an iron and it is loaded: the first one who moves, I will shot” , “In the escape, the murderer lost his iron” .
This word also serves to designate an instrument used to engrave a code mark on farm animals. In addition to iron , this tool is known as iron (note that it is made precisely with this material), brand , carimbo and burning iron , among other names. The application is very violent, since it must be heated until it is red hot and then pressed against the skin of the cattle to leave a "seal" that serves to identify the group as part of the same ranch or certain individuals that, for example, For example, they will be sold to another (these are called “discards”).
As we can see, it is a term that has several uses, some more correct than others, and all of them are recognized mainly in Latin America, since in Spain iron is preferred, which is the form recommended by the Royal Spanish Academy. It is curious that an older version is used in colonized countries, given that they learned the language later than the Spanish; However, this happens in many other cases and the reason is probably due to the way in which linguistic knowledge was transmitted in the context of the invasion .
In short, fierro is primarily the way to refer to the iron used in Latin America, but it can also designate other concepts, both in everyday and vulgar speech and in cultured language. In Spain, on the other hand, only iron is used, and there it also has meanings beyond the chemical element ; for example, "the piece of this material that is placed on the tip of the spears" or "a sign that is placed on certain products as a guarantee."
The expression “iron” , on the other hand, refers to someone who is trustworthy : “Damián is an iron friend” , “I have an iron woman by my side, who accompanies me in good times and bad” , “ “My uncle is a rock, he always helps me with everything I need.”
Fierro, on the other hand, is a fairly common surname in Latin American countries . The Chilean soccer player Gonzalo Fierro and the Argentine basketball player Mariano Fierro are two public people who are called this way.
Martín Fierro , finally, is possibly the most famous character in Argentine literature. This is a gaucho created by José Hernández in 1872 , the protagonist of the narrative poem “El gaucho Martín Fierro” and its sequel, “The return of Martín Fierro” . Currently, this character contributes his name to an important award that distinguishes those who work in radio and television in Argentina .