# Endnotes explained — Pablo de Segovia, the Spanish Sharper

> Chapter companion for Pablo de Segovia, the Spanish Sharper by Francisco de Quevedo.

## What happens

This section provides explanatory endnotes for the translation, clarifying historical references, wordplay, and cultural allusions in the main text.

## Themes in this chapter

### Satire of Hypocrisy

The endnotes reveal satirical jabs at social and religious hypocrisy, such as the Morisco being called 'dog' and the cant word 'cat' for thief.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Notes explain wordplay and double meanings (e.g., 'nabal' meaning both turnip and naval), highlighting the gap between surface and substance.

## Key lines

> Era batalla nabal , a play upon the word nabal , meaning “belonging to turnips ( nabos )” as well as “naval.”

The phrase is a pun: 'nabal' can mean both 'naval' and 'turnip-related.'

_Explains a bilingual pun in the original text._

> The Morisco was called “dog” by the Christians; and “cat” ( gato ) was a cant word for “thief.”

Christians insulted Moriscos by calling them 'dog,' while 'cat' was slang for thief.

_Clarifies ethnic slurs and cant terms used in the period._

> Ostend was taken by the Spaniards under Espinola, on the 22nd September, 1604, after a siege which lasted more than three years.

The Spanish, led by Spinola, captured Ostend on September 22, 1604, following a siege of over three years.

_Provides historical context for a military reference._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/endnotes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters