quinceañera n. a coming-out party held for a girl’s 15th birthday; a debutante ball or cotillion. Etymological Note: Spanish quinceañera, which also means “a fifteen-year-old girl.” The Spanish pronunciation is similar to keen...
bampot n. a crazy person; a fool or dolt. Etymological Note: Most likely a form of barmpot. According to OED, barm, “the froth that forms on top of fermenting malt liquors; the head of a beer,” is used attributively as a formative to...
ecuavolley n. a form of volleyball with a high net, three players per side, and permissive ball-handling rules. Editorial Note: This game originated in Ecuador at least as early as the 1960s, but is increasingly visible in other countries. In...
matricula n.— «Governor Rod Blagojevich…today signed into law a measure requiring state and local governments in Illinois to recognize identification cards issued by foreign consulates and used by immigrants. The cards are favored...
Yomango n.— «The source of inspiration is Yomango, a movement that began in Spain (the word means “I steal” in Spanish slang) and has spread to Germany and South America. The movement calls for the “liberation of...
chansa n.— «The word “chansa” means chance, only it doesn’t exist in too many Spanish dictionaries, if any. In the Rio Grande Valley, dale chansa translates to, “Give him a chance.”» —“Area lingo a way of life...