URSAL
Portuguese
Etymology
Acronym of União das Repúblicas Socialistas da América Latina (“Union of the Socialist Republics of Latin America”). It is also related to urso + -al, meaning ursal, bearish (“of or relating to bears”).
This term was originally coined as a satire in 2001 by Brazilian sociologist Maria Lúcia Victor Barbosa. In 2006, it was treated seriously as a conspiracy theory in an article for the Jornal do Comércio (Journey of Commerce)[1] by Brazilian writer Olavo de Carvalho. In 2018, the conspiracy theory was popularized in Brazil by presidential candidate Cabo Daciolo.
Noun
URSAL f
- (often humorous) A Soviet Union-like organization claimed to be formed by Latin American countries.
Usage notes
Although this term originated as satire, it is also sometimes treated seriously as a conspiracy theory, either claimed to be a present organization or one that might be formed in the future.
References
- 2006, Olavo de Carvalho,"Os inventores do mundo futuro"