"Cuando
Colon baje el dedo" translates
“When Columbus puts his finger down,” in reference to the
sculpture of Christopher Columbus in Plaza Colon in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico which shows Columbus pointing towards the sky.
The
expression is used to signify that something will never happen.
Example.
“When are you marrying that woman?…Cuando Colon baje el dedo!”
Actually, the expression is “Cuando
Ponce de León baje el dedo,”
a reference to the statue of Ponce de León in front of the Church of San José in Old San Juan. The statue of Columbus at Plaza de Colón does
not point at anything!
Cristobal Colon, Viejo San Juan, PR
Ponce de Leon, San Juan, PR
photos: via google image