Yesterday morning, Maria Hinojosa made another appearance at the “Meet the Press” table (her fourth in 2015). This time, during the more lighthearted Endgame segment, MTP host Chuck Todd wanted Maria’s thoughts about a new commercial from Mexican television for the upcoming Mexico-USA soccer game. The promo from TV Azteca showed clips of Donald Trump lamenting a lost America, mashed up with images of El Tri’s national players.
As she offered her explanation about the promo, Maria responded with one very Mexican expression, “Le sale el tiro por la culata.” (Literally: “The bullet came out through the opposite side of the rifle.”) Or in other words, Trump’s June comments about Mexicans and his follow-ups have backfired on the Republican candidate. The Mexican expression (common in other parts of Latin America, too) even caused Todd to say, “¡Muerto!” (“Dead!”) as the show came to a conclusion.
It is safe to say that this was very likely the first time the words “Le sale el tiro por la culata” were ever spoken on MTP. Not surprisingly, some people on Twitter noticed:
@meetthepress didn’t fire “el tiro por la culata” today thanks to @Maria_Hinojosa and her classic Spanish phrase. Keep it up guys @chucktodd
— MasPOLITICA (@MasPolitica1) September 13, 2015
.@Maria_Hinojosa on @meetthepress just now: “Trump, te salió el tiro por la culata.” Así, en español. pic.twitter.com/iciDSicFrk
— Laura Martínez ® (@miblogestublog) September 13, 2015
@MHOneonOne love hearing Spanish and dichos on @meetthepress @Maria_Hinojosa. Bien Hecho Maria!@LTCummins
— Dr. Lorena Gonzalez (@DrLorena) September 13, 2015
Not everyone, however, was complimentary of the culata expression:
Shocker that #mtp used Trump and Mexican soccer as a tee-up for @Maria_Hinojosa to speak Spanish in no particularly relevant way #ratings
— FetethePress (@FetethePress) September 13, 2015
Besides the Trump soccer ad, Maria also gave some advice to Hillary Clinton and talked about Chris Christie. The following video shows clips of Maria’s appearance yesterday:
For all you Spanish language enthusiasts out there, the expression “se le sale el tiro por la culata” is not an exclusive Mexican expression. It is also commonly used in other Latin American countries and also in Spain.
What do you think of Maria’s “Meet the Press” appearance? Share your comments below.
¡Maravilloso! I grew up with that beautiful little girl in Chicago…we affectionately called her “Malulis”. Her father was a great man and her mom an amazing woman. I always sensed she would grow up to do something special and I am so proud and inspired by her journey. Thank you “querida Malulis” for your exceptional efforts and achievements. If our mission in life is indeed to serve others, you have done that and more in a “visible” and meaningul manner. “Muchos abrazos,” to your and your family. Con cariño….Paty