migra n.— «“People were lured, they were herded by coyotes, hunted by the migras (slang for immigration officers), lured into traps, devoured by labor,” Santa Ana said. “They are beasts of burden, and we have to ferret them...
vomit comet n.— «A San Juan travel agent indelicately calls it the “vomit comet”—an allusion, I imagine, to the great number of babes in arms or inexperienced travelers aboard the planes. It was therefore with some misgiving that I...
double-back v.— «The arbitrator did not rule against the current “double-back” work shift, as the city had sought.…The current system calls for officers to work an eight-hour shift, take off for eight hours and return...
shoot a fair one v. phr.— «There was this time, last year, when my boy Duzer was supposed to shoot a fair one with another kid in school, so my little crew got together to keep it a fair fight.…I saw kids pullling shanks and...
pupusería n.— «For years, Salvadorans in the United States have enjoyed their national food at pupuserías, little restaurants that specialize in pupusas.» —“Pupusas filled with the taste of El Salvador” by Juan...
pupusa n.— «Everyone in El Salvador knows the pupusa. This thick tortilla, typically filled with combinations of cheese, beans, pork and a green vegetable blossom called loroco, is a staple of restaurants and home kitchens. Served with a...