ENGLISH AXILLA

 Don Pedro Álvarez de Miranda, a Spanish scholar and member of the RAE (Real Academia Española), has asked me about the English word "axilla" and its usage. "Axila" in Spanish is a five-cent word, whereas "axilla" is an English ten-dollar word, unknown to most English-speaking people except medical doctors. The word's plural, "axillae," gives away the Latin origin of the word. "Armpit" and "underarm" will be understood by native speakers. "Axilla" will draw a blank face unless you talk to an MD. This must be borne in mind when translating from English. "Olor a sobaquina" would translate as "B.O.." in English. But, wait, let me go take a shower! I'll be back!