Literally, it means "can turner". Originally the expression came from football (soccer), as it happens in a lot of stuff within Brazilian culture. In 1950 Bra

Literally, it means "can turner". Originally the expression came from football (soccer), as it happens in a lot of stuff within Brazilian culture. In 1950 Brazil lost the finals for the Worldcup to Uruguai at Maracanã, the country biggest stadium. It was a national tragedy that left the country depressed (see "Maracanazo"). A very famous journalist from that age, Nelson Rodrigues, complained that the country was under a "stray dog syndrome", feeling unworthy when it was a lot better than that. The important thing to notice is that Rodrigues was talking exclusively about football. He hated politics and deeply despised any form of nationalism. He actually didn't hold the national character in esteem. It was much later on, on the 90's after his death, that the expression was hijacked and twisted to antagonize any Brazilian that criticizes Brazil in front of foreigners.