Noted Costa Rican linguist, Miguel A, Quesada Pacheco , defines the word “pachuco” as: a person with unacceptable social customs, a kind of woman’s underwear or a type of street slang used by young people. In this series of columns I will only deal with the last definition.

Abrirse – to split (to leave)
Agarrarse – to fight
¡Al chile! – Really! Seriously!
Apretar – to kiss
Batear -to lie or talk a lot of crap
Bostezo – a boring person
Blanco – a cigarette
Botar el rancho – to vomit
Bote or tarro – jail
Bretear – to work
Buchón – somebody who hogs things
Burrada – a stupid act
Cachos – shoes
Caña – a colón (money)
Chapulín – a juvenile delinquent
Chepe – Slang for the city San José or nickname for a man called José
Chepito – a snoopy person
Cruz – shirt