For those of you who are already Spanish speakers or just enjoy learning about these things, here’s an entry to post Panamanian slang or *Panameñismos*, i.e., terms commonly used in Panama.
Did you know, common Spanish terms for things we eat or use regularly can differ greatly from country to country… for example avocado is *aguacate* in Panama but in some countries, like Argentina, they say *palta*, which is derived from Quechua, a pre-Columbian language.
Ok, I’ll kick us off with some slang, and feel free to post your own learned terms or questions in this thread!
***•Mealeante***: Said of a hardened ruffian or criminal; can also be used for a street-smart person or someone tough.
Pronounced mal-ee-AHN-teh
***• ¡La botaste!***: This phrase is used when someone has said something so
unbelievable or funny that they’ve almost gone too far. A good joke or anecdote can earn you one!
Pronounced lah boht (like “boat”)-AHS-teh
***• Bicho:*** This slang term can be used to refer to any insect (like the English “bug”).
Pronounced BEE-cho
***• A balazo:*** This term, from the word bala (“bullet”) is used when something is done very quickly—like a speeding bullet.
Pronounced ah bahl (like ball)-AH-soh
~IL Panama Editor Jess Ramesch
