Charroco Humour & Identity

Setúbal’s humour is not outsiders laughing at the city — it’s proud self-irony. Three pillars of local comedy: the charroco dialect, the cult of choco frito, and an undying love for Vitória FC. “The city doesn’t laugh at itself — it laughs with itself.”

Bocage: Setúbal’s First Stand-Up Comedian

Bocage (1765–1805) was not only a great poet but arguably the city’s first comedian. His satirical improvisations in Lisbon’s taverns were so audacious that they led to his arrest by the Inquisition (1797). Most “Bocage jokes” passed down through generations are actually folk humour attributed to the poet posthumously. Bocage became a collective figure: if a joke is witty and bold, it must be “from Bocage.”

The Charroco Dictionary

The charroco dialect is Setúbal’s unique slang, born in the canning factories. Here are the most colourful expressions:

The full dictionary contains over 200 expressions — from weather descriptions to assessments of appearance.

“Charroque da Prrofundurra” — The Brand

Forestry engineer Rui Garcia turned the dialect into a business. Starting with a blog, he created the “Charroque da Prrofundurra” brand — a shop on Rua António Maria Eusébio selling T-shirts, hoodies, books, craft beer, and magnets with charroco phrases.

Best-sellers:

• “Sushi é pêxe crrú” (“Sushi is raw fish” in charroco)
• “Vaite embórra choque” (“Go to sleep” — on a pizza box)

Website: charroco.net

Memes & Internet Humour

@setubalmemes

Creator: Francisco Portela, 24, originally from Viseu (not from Setúbal!). Instagram + Facebook, 5,000+ followers (since 2019). Characters often wear green — Vitória’s colour. Topics: bridge traffic jams, choco frito, “Margem Sul is another country.”

Blog “Setúbal não é só choco frito”

An ironic title — the city reduced to a single dish. On WordPress: stories, myths, curiosities, charroco dictionary (200+ words). The author fights the stereotype that “Setúbal = fried cuttlefish and nothing more.”

The “Margem Sul” Confusion

Classic meme: “I’m from Setúbal” — “Oh, I have a friend in Montijo!” Lisboetas confuse the entire southern bank. The joke: crossing the 25 de Abril bridge = leaving the country.

Stand-Up & Comedy

Comediem Club

A travelling comedy club with monthly shows in Setúbal. Organiser of the EngraSado festival (March 2023) — a pun: “Funny” + “on the Sado.” Project “Correr a Rir” — a comedy marathon.

Choco Frito on TikTok

Carlos Aleluia — 10,900 likes on a choco frito video. Numerous food bloggers travel from Lisbon specifically for fried cuttlefish. Hashtags: #chocofrito, #setúbal.

Football Humour

VIII Exército — The Oldest Supporters’ Group

The name of Vitória FC’s fan group was born in the 1942/43 season: supporters celebrated so wildly they were compared to the British 8th Army at El Alamein. Hence — VIII Exército (8th Army).

“O Enorme” in the Sixth Division

After going bankrupt in 2024, Vitória dropped to the 6th tier of Portuguese football. Yet 1,500–2,000 fans attended matches — unheard of for the district level. RTP wrote: “Vitória creates a First Division atmosphere in the sixth tier.” The motto: “Vitória não é grande, é ENORME!” (“Vitória isn’t big, it’s ENORMOUS!”). More: Football Derbies.

First Match: 0–7

On May 15, 1911, Vitória played their first match — and lost 0–7. Lisbon clubs refused to travel to Setúbal. But by the 1916–17 season, the team had won the championship.

Charrocos vs Pexitos [FOLKLORE]

The eternal rivalry between Setúbal and Sesimbra. Setúbal residents are charrocos (from the fish “sea devil”). Sesimbra residents are pexitos (“little fish”). The mutual nickname “caga leite” — origin stories vary: either from the white fat of fish, or from unsold milk poured into the street. The debate over who exactly is “caga leite” has continued for decades.

Merchandise & Commerce

Setúbal’s humour is not just words — it’s products:

• Charroque da Prrofundurra: T-shirts, hoodies, books, craft beer, magnets
• Redbubble: “Made in Setúbal,” district maps, street art designs
• Golfinho Parade: dolphin souvenirs on the waterfront

Key Traits of Setúbal Humour

1. Self-irony, not mockery from outside — Setúbal is not the “butt of jokes” in Portuguese humour (that role belongs to Alentejo)
2. Three pillars: charroco dialect, choco frito cult, Vitória FC
3. Local meme culture — alive but intimate (5,000+ followers on the main meme page)
4. Bocage as archetype — witty audacity became part of the identity

See Also

• Charroco Dialect
• Fun Facts & Curiosities
• Bocage
• Vitória FC
• Football Derbies
• Choco Frito