Che (interjection)
Che (; ; ; ) is an interjection commonly used in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) and Valencia (Spain), signifying "hey!", "fellow", "guy". "Che" is mainly used as a vocative to call someone's attention (akin to "mate" or "buddy" in English), but it is often used as filler too (akin to "right" or "so" in English). The Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara earned his nickname from his frequent use of the expression, which was perceived as foreign by his Cuban comrades. Etymology. "Che" is an interjection of unclear origin. According to the "Diccionario de la Lengua Española", it  is comparable to the archaic "ce" used in Spain to ask for someone's attention or to make someone stop. "Che" is now mainly used in Argentina and Uruguay, but is also predominant in Bolivia, Paraguay, the "Río Grande do Sul" region of Brazil, and also in Valencia, Spain with a similar meaning. Due to its spread in South America, alternative etymologies have been suggested by analogy with indigenous words: Usage. The first recorded use of "che" in Spanish America appears to be in 19th-century Argentine writer Esteban Echeverría's short story The Slaughter Yard (El matadero), published posthumously  in 1871 but set in 1838-9 in the Rosas era. Che, negra bruja, salí de aquí antes de que te pegue un tajo—exclamaba el carnicero. Falkland Islands. In the Falkland Islands, "che" is commonly used by English speakers (""G'day che, how's things?""). It can also be written as "chay". The word is sometimes used to describe someone who is a particularly traditional Falkland Islander (""He's a proper che""). Valencia. In Spain, "che" is widely used in Valencia and Terres de l'Ebre, Catalonia (written as "xe"), as an interjection. With the spelling ""xe"" in Valencian, its main  use is to express protest, surprise or exasperation. Che! is one of the symbols of the Valencian identity to the point where, for example the Valencia CF is often referred to with the nickname "Che Team". Philippines. In the Philippines, "che" (also spelled "cheh") is used to express the dismissing another person or interrupting another person's speech, similar in context to the English expression "Shut up!".