“Dominus vobiscum” actually means crab! 😂

In Ternate and Ciudad de Cavite, where varieties of Chavacano called “Bahra” and “Cavitén” are spoken respectively, the people there have an odd name for crabs. Instead of “cangrejo” (Spanish), alimañgo or alimásag (Tagálog), Caviteños call it in Latin: “Dominus vobiscum” which means “the Lord be with you”. 😂 But how on earth did that came to be?

In the Tridentine Mass (the only Mass that my family attends, if I may add), whenever a priest says “Dominus vobiscum”, he faces the churchgoers with both arms outstretched. Caviteños of old must have thought that the scene resembled the outstretched pincers of a crab. 😂 Remember that both Ternate and Ciudad de Cavite are located right beside the sea (Manila Bay). Many of the natives, then as now, are fishermen.

^{Photos: Shutterstock and SSPX.}

This goes to show that the Tridentine Mass (also known as the Traditional Latin Mass) must have left an indelible mark on the early Caviteños’ lively imagination.

_{You are all invited to attend the Tridentine Mass, livestreamed every Sunday at 3:00 PM by the Ecclesia Dei Society of St. Joseph – Una Voce Philippines. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.}