Diego

Diego is a Spanish masculine given name. It derives from a re-analysis of Sant Yago ("Saint Jacob"), viz. in reference to Saint James the Greater, re-analysed as San Diego.

In today's Spanish-speaking countries, Diego and Santiago are common as given names; Diego, Santiago and Sandiego are found as surnames. The forms Tiago, Thiago, Diago and Diogo are seen mostly in Portuguese speaking (Lusophone) countries.

History

The name is on record since the High Middle Ages (Diego de Acebo, d. 1207).

During the medieval era, the names "Sant Yago", "Diago" and "Diego" seem to have coexisted. "Sant Yago" is used, for example, in a letter by James II of Aragon dated 1300: "[...] maestro de la cavalleria de Sant Yago et de la dita orden [...]".

"Diago" is recorded, for example, in "Et fue a casa del Rey. e mostrolo a don diago que era adelantado del Rey" (Fuero de Burgos, c. 1240)

In the Renaissance era, the name was Latinized as Didacus (from Greek διδαχή (didache) "teaching").

"Diego" as a generic name or term for a Spaniard is documented from around 1615, and "dago" is used as such still in the 19th century. By the early 20th century, the term "dago" became an ethnic slur chiefly for Italian Americans, besides also for anyone of Hispanic or Portuguese descent.

Gerard Joling

Gerard Jan Joling (born 29 April 1960 in Alkmaar) is a Dutch singer and television presenter. Known for his high tenor voice, he rose to fame in the late 80's and released a string of singles including "Ticket to the Tropics", "Love is in your Eyes", and his biggest hit, "No more boleros", a song that reached the top 10 in several countries in mainland Europe. He also achieved success in Asia and received more than 20 gold and platinum records.

In 1988 he was the Dutch participant in the Eurovision Song Contest 1988, with the song "Shangri-La".

Joling & Gordon Over de Vloer is a television program Gerard Joling made with singer Gordon in 2005. There are 3 seasons of the series which contained the twosome during work and having a laugh.

In 2007 he was the host of Sterren dansen op het ijs and So You Wanna Be a Popstar for the television channel SBS 6. 2007 was also the year that sparked Joling's renewed success, with two number 1 songs, a number 1 album, and 11 gold and platinum awards.