What does "olé" in bullfighting mean?

Question

Question #69669. Asked by loominitsa.
Last updated Aug 21 2016.

zbeckabee
Answer has 6 votes

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zbeckabee
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18 year member
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Answer has 6 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.

Used to express excited approval.

"Y'Allah". (Arabic) "Oh, God", origin of the Spanish "Ole".

Response last updated by CmdrK on Aug 21 2016.
Aug 14 2006, 7:36 AM

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Answer 1

mctavish99
Answer has 4 votes

mctavish99
18 year member
518 replies avatar

Answer has 4 votes.

There is some discussion on this forum

http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/127723/what-does-ole-mean

Basically "ole" (with one "l", and a squiggle above the "e") means "bravo".

Response last updated by CmdrK on Aug 21 2016.
Aug 14 2006, 6:00 AM

Answer 2

Brainyblonde
Answer has 5 votes

Brainyblonde
23 year member
1455 replies

Answer has 5 votes.

Olé is used to express excited approval, for example at sports games, in the Spanish language;
it is possibly derived from Arabic wa-llâh, "by God!"

Aug 14 2006, 6:02 AM