Not only Spanish custom but municipal law prescribes the wearing of shirts, collars (preferably starched), neckties *and jackets on the streets of Madrid, regardless of the weather. Last week, as Madrid sweltered under a 98° heat, a new criminal stalked the city's streets, and a new word crept into the Spanish vocabulary to describe him.
As rebellious Madrilenos began leaving off their neckties and jackets to escape the heat, they were promptly labeled piscinista (from piscina or swimming pool). The mayor of Madrid detailed a special anti-piscinista squad of police to round them up and restore decency.
*At the beginning of...
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