There are various theories about the etymological origin of the term rogue, however, it is established with some certainty that it could derive from Latin, specifically from the Vulgar Latin “granuculum”. This, in turn, is a word that is the result of the sum of two lexical components of Latin: the noun “granum”, which means “grain”, and the derogatory suffix “-ujo/uja”.
Originally it was used to refer to the grapes that fell from the cluster. However, starting in the 19th century it was established that it was also used to refer to rude boys who spent the day on the street, without working or studying, as well as without the intention of doing anything.
The Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ), in its dictionary, recognizes some meanings that can be directly linked to this etymological origin.
The grain that grapes and other fruits have inside is called rogue. The rogue, in this sense, is the seed or seed .
The most common use of the concept , however, is associated with a rogue, shameless or deceitful individual . A rogue, in this framework, is a knave or a slacker . In some cases, the term is used affectively.
For example: “Miguel's scoundrel missed work again,” “In his new movie, the actor plays a scoundrel who spends his days from bar to bar,” “I need an honest helper, not an irresponsible scoundrel.”
“Rogues at full rhythm” , on the other hand, is the title by which the film “The Blues Brothers” was known in Spain , released in Latin America as “Los Hermanos Caradura” . It is a film starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi with the characters that these comedians developed on the TV program “Saturday Night Live” .
John Landis was the director of that feature film, released in 1980 and which tells the story of two brothers, jazz artists, who want to give a concert and to achieve it they have to face all kinds of vicissitudes.
Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Willie Hall and Tom Malone were other actors who participated in this film, which has become a classic in film history.
“Rogues de medio pelo” , meanwhile, is the Spanish title for “Small Time Crooks” . This comedy , also known as “Ladrones de medio pelo” and “Pícaros thieves” , is directed and starred by Woody Allen .
In 2000, this other film was released, starring not only Woody Allen himself but also actors of the stature of Hugh Grant, Tracey Ullman and Elaine May.
It tells the story of a retired thief who decides to reunite his gang in order to commit one last robbery. However, their original plans will be seriously altered.
“Rogues and ladders” y “Pillos with stairs”, por último, son los títulos en castellano de “Crook and Ladder”, un episodio que forma parte de la 18º temporada de la series animada “The Simpsons”.