Jargon:
Dominican Republic Edition
With 37,579,787 speakers, the number of Spanishspeakers in the United States has increased by 210 percent since 1980. Jargon is a handy dictionary decoding slang created by Spanish speaking countries. These words are often created to describe things that mainstream society does not have words for or are words that have been reappropriated.
Color Key:
Made up phrase
Made up word
Reappropriated word
Andel Diablo [ahn-dehl-de-ah-blo] saying
Saying to demonstrate frustration, another way to say damn.
Made from combining the phrase “anda el diablo� which means the devil lurks or walks.
Baboso [bah-bozzo] noun
A person that talks a lot, mostly known as a trash talker, someone with verbal diarrhea.
Currently defined as someone who constantly drools.
Baina [bine-ah] noun
A word used to describe any thing you want it to be. It is the equivalent of saying “thing�.
Currently defined as a type of pea, or a sheath to a sword.
Chichi [che-che] noun
Used in an affectionate manner toward a young child or newborn baby.
In most Spanish speaking countries, especially in Mexico, chichi (used plurally) refers to a woman’s breasts.
Cocotaso [co-co-tahs-oh] action
A hit with a closed fist over the head.
Cuco [coo-coe] noun
The mythical ghost monster that parents say is going to get their kids if they misbehave; the bogeyman.
Currently defined as a cuckoo bird.
Cura [coo-rah] adjective
Used when you are describing something that’s funny.
Currently defined as a cure.
Diache [dee-ah-che] saying
A PG-13 way to say “Damn”.
The word comes from “diatre” which means devilish.
Dique [dee-keh] saying
Used as “that’s what I heard” or “supposedly”.
Derived from the word “dizque”.
El pipo [elle-peep-oh] saying
It means nothing and is yet another word to say “damn” or “oh damn”.
Pipo is a place made up by Dominicans that seems to be far.
Fiebru [fee-eh-broo] adjective
Used to describe someone who is over-zealous about something.
Currently defined as someone who has the flu.
Fo [foh] saying
A word used to describe a bad smell.
This word is akin to saying “ew� in English.
Frio [free-o] noun
Used as “it’s cool” or “it’s all good with”.
Currently defined as “cold”.
Jablador [dee-ah-che] saying
Someone who lies a lot.
Derived from “hablador� currently defined as someone who talks a lot.
Hevi [heh-bee] adjective
Means “everything is cool” or “it looks good”.
Derived from the English word “heavy” and the term “heavy duty”.
Manga Ahi Manin [man-gah ah-e mah-nee-in] saying
Used as “that’s what you get”.
Manin [man-een] noun
A term for “man”.
Derived from the English word “man”.
Manso [man-een] noun
Used to describe your mood if you are feeling calm.
Matatan [matt-ah-tan) adjective
Means the boss, the big boss, or the man. A person that does boss like things.
Montro [mon-tro] noun
Used to describe something cool or hot. Also used as a term for “man”.
Derived from the word “monstro” which means monster.
Pariguayo [par-e-guah-yo] adjective
Used to describe a lame person or someone who is not considered part of a group.
Derived from the English word Party Watcher. American soldiers who would just stand and watch the parties instead of socializing used to be called “party watchers�.
Peo [peh-oh] noun
A fart.
Pin-Pun [peen-pohn] adjective
Used to describe two or more things that are alike, twins.
Prieto [pre-eh-toh] noun
A dark skinned person but used as a loving term of endearment. It is not considered offensive and used when you are referring to a loved one.
Que lo Que [keh-low-keh] saying
This means what’s up.
The literal translation is “what is what” and can be seen as the text message abbreviation KLK.
Rebu [reh-boo] noun
A frenzy, a group of people fighting.
Roca [roh-cah] noun
To be on point, to be good with.
Currently defined as a rock.
Tablaso [tah-blah-so] adjective
Used to describe the severity of a punch, kick or smack.
Currently defined as a huge piece of wood.
Tigre [tee-greh) noun
A street corner hustler, a street smart character.
Currently defined as a tiger.
Una fria [coo-rah] adjective
A cold beer of Presidente.
The literal translation is “a cold one�.
Verdugo [ver-doo-go] adjective
Someone who is heavy handed, muscular or strong.
Currently defined as an executioner. In the Dominican wrestling, Los Hermanos Bronco were called “Los Verdugos�, since they were considerably bigger muscle-wise than the average Dominican Wrestler.