conehead n.— «Conehead. This has nothing to do with the space-alien routine made famous on Saturday Night Live. In Los Alamos, it means scientist, stemming from the unflattering “pointy-headed”—meaning too intellectual...
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...
quinceanera n.— «Well-off Mexican-Americans have adopted the Mexican custom, following a tradition of 16th-century Spain, of presenting their 15-year-old daughters to society at events known as Quinceanera balls.» —“Latin Influence...
chones n.pl. underwear, especially undershorts or panties. Also chonies, choners. Editorial Note: Despite its proximity to a mention of lingerie, chonies in the 1928 citation is probably a typographical error for chorines. Etymological Note:...
paisa n.— «There is a slang term that students in mostly Latino schools use to separate those who seem more connected to their Latino roots than to American culture: “paisas.” It comes from the word “paisano,”...
Gringolandia n. the United States of America. Etymological Note: Mexican Spanish gringo ‘Yankee; English-speaking North American’ + landia (suffix indicating ‘place’) (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)