Glossary


Calo Glossary
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.
Chinga(s)	To f*#k, bitch, complain, bother.
Chingaso	Fight, hit, blows i.e. "throw chingasos".
Chingon	A bad ass, the top dog, cool dude.
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 style of pants worn by the Pachuco.
Esé	Used instead of "homeboy", "dude", etc. (see Vato below)
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 Mero	The boss.
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.).
Pelon	One who is, shall we say, "hairline challenged."
Pinche	*@#@%$
Plieto	Struggle, argument, disagreement
¿Qué Onda?	"What's your gig?"
¿Q-Vo?	Another version of saying "What's Up?", "What's Happening?"
Respeto	Respect.
Ruca	A fine looking woman.
Simón	Used to signify agreement with someone.
Trapos	Clothes or outfit.
Trucha	Means keep cool, be safe, watch yourself, watch out, or check yourself.
Vato	Used instead of "homeboy", "dude", etc. (see Ese above)
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.)
email: chingaso@chingaso.com