In reply to Zach Attack.

Hi Zach,

I know this is a late response, but I am a PCV in Guate currently learning Mam, and from what I've read and heard from my teacher, Xnula (the X should have two dots over it to indicate the 'sh' sound) originally comes from the word "Xnul" which means "clean", referring of

I know pitifully little about the history or evolution of the word from that point, though... for instance, why does it only apply to women, and "mos" (which no one I talk to knows the etymology or original meaning of) apply to men? Why would a word that seems to have a derogatory connotation against indigenas have been embraced by them, and how has it come to be a negative slur against Ladinas/Gringas?

That said I am fairly positive that the original etymology has nothing to do with females wearing pants, or kidnapping, both concepts that I believe came into play in indigena-Ladino-gringo relations far after the word first went into usage.

Steph