Glossary of Pachuquismos |
| Term |
Definition |
| Ay Te Watcho |
Used when you say good-bye to someone. Literally translates into
"watch yourself." |
| Ay Te Miro |
Same as above. Literally translates into "see you later." |
| Al Rato |
See you soon. |
| Barrio |
Neighborhood, hood, etc. |
| Calo |
Language or slang of the cholos and pachucos. |
| Chalé |
Used to tell someone to "keep cool" or
"be cool", also used to indicate disagreement with something said. |
| Chingon |
Bad-ass. As in Suavecito's is "lo mas
chingon"! |
| Chisme |
As many of you know, Eskimos have well over a dozen words to describe
"snow". Well, we Mexicanos have almost as many to describe
"gossip". This is one of the many variations. |
| Chismoso |
One who engages in chisme. Check out Chismosos
Corner. |
| Cholo/a |
Raza on the street (also modern day pachuco). |
| Chones |
Loosely translates into, ummm - shall we say, your underwear. |
| Corazon |
Heart. |
| c/s |
Con Safos - literally
translates to "don't mess with this/me/etc.". |
| Drape |
The name for the zoot suit jacket worn by the
Pachuco. |
| Esé |
Used instead of "homeboy", "dude", etc. (see Vato
below) |
| Fería |
Money |
| Firme |
Cool, just swell, etc. |
| Ganas |
Guts, drive, motivation, balls to do something |
| Guero/a |
Individuals from the Caucasian persuasion.
(Or light skinned individuals.) |
| Guey |
Pronounced "way" - loosely translates to "idiot". |
| Lana |
Money. |
| Mero |
The tops, as in "el mero perro" - the
"top dog" |
| Mierda |
Shit. |
| Mocos |
Boogers. |
| Mocoso |
Someone, who shall we say, "engages in mocos". |
| Onda |
Though there's no literal translation that really works, it
loosely translates into trip, way of thinking, gig, thing, etc.
Often used in asking what's up? "¿Qué onda?" |
| Oralé |
1.) Another version of saying "What's Up?" (see Q-Vo below).
2.) Also used to indicate agreement with someone. |
| Orgullo |
Pride. |
| Pachucada |
Lifestyle of the Pachuco. |
| Pachuco |
Old school term for Chicano zooters - the dress, attitude, language, culture,
etc. |
| Pedo |
Well folks, the literal translation of this multipurpose word
is "fart", and it's often used in this regard.
However, it is also used to describe the stages of inebriation toward
the further end of the scale. It is also used to describe
pretty much any situation that is rather, ummm... unsavory (i.e.
fights, etc.). |
| Pegged |
How the pants are tapered and fit tight around the ankles. |
| Pelon |
One who is, shall we say, "hairline challenged." |
| Perro |
Dog |
| Pinche |
F_ _ king this, f_ _ king that. |
| ¿Qué Onda? |
"What's your gig?" |
| ¿Q-Vo? |
Another version of saying "What's Up?",
"What's Happening?" |
| Reina |
Queen |
| Respeto |
Respect. |
| Ruca |
A fine looking woman with a lot of orgullo. |
| Simón |
Used to signify agreement with someone. |
Tablitas
(also known as Spectators) |
Stacy Adams® is the name brand of the distinctive
patent-leather wing tip (often two-toned) shoes worn by the Pachuco. |
| Tando |
Broad-brimmed hat |
| Traje |
Suit |
| Trapos |
Clothes or outfit. |
| Trucha |
Means watch yourself, watch out or check yourself. |
| Vato |
Used instead of "homeboy", "dude", etc.
(see Ese above) |
| Vavoso |
Literal translation "a saliva
laden dumb ass". In the barrio, it's used to describe
anyone that's not down. |
| Veterano |
Literally translate to
"veteran". Also reflects on the elder in the
community, the Latino version of an "OG". |
| Vieja/Viejo |
Old woman/old man, wife/husband, etc. |
| Watcha |
Look out, watch yourself, check
yourself, etc. |
| ¿Y-Que? |
And what?! Said with attitude - don't know how else to say
it. |
| Zoot Suiter or Zooter |
Name of a person who wears Zoot Suits (and is just generally a cool vato.) |
