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Puxe

Meaning: Actually means 'pull' — the imperative of puxar. The door sign telling you to push says empurre.

Language: Portuguese

Literally: push

Category: Everyday

Origin: From Latin pulsāre, 'to strike, drive' — the very same root as English 'push'. One language took the force as moving away, the other as drawing toward, leaving the two door signs in perfect opposition.

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