The word “orden” (order) is used with many expressions in Spanish.
A sus ordenes – at your service
Bajo ordenes – to be under orders
El orden – the order of things like numbers
El orden alfabético – alphabetical order
El orden del día – agenda
Fuera de orden
Costa Ricans have the habit of shortening people’s names as a form of affection.
Here are a few of the names with their short forms.
Alexandra – Ale
Alonso – Alo
Adriana – Adri
Carlos – Caliche or Cali
Christopher – Crisín
Daniela – Dani
Fabricio – Fabri
Federico – Fede
The word hombre (man) is used in many Spanish Expressions. Here are the ones I could think of off the top of my head.
Devoradora de hombres – man eater
¡hombre! – for Goodness sake!
Hombre-anuncio – a sandwhich-board man
Hombrearaña – Spiderman
Hombre-orquesta – one-man-band
El
Here are some words and expressions I found while reading the newspapers:
Bombazo – a car crash. Choque is also used.
Cole – short for high school. Colegio is the correct word. Liceo is a synonym
Cumple – short for birthday. Comes form the word cumpleaños
Echar la casa por la ventana – to spare no expense like when you have a big party or celebration.
Echarse a alguien – to kill somebody
Estar de manteles largos – to put on a party or celebrate an event like a birthday
El poli – slang for police. Policía is the correct word. Tombo or paco are the pachuco words for police.
Hacer trompas – to make faces.
Jalar – means to go in Costa Rican slang. It can also means “to go” when someone dies. For example, María jaló or María se fue mean Maria passes away.
El Monse – short for Hospital Monseñor Sanabria in Punta Arenas.
La pelona – death or the angel of death.
Quesos – packs (pacas) of cocaine taken form smugglers. In proper Spanish queso means cheese.
El reloj – literally means watch or clock but is slang for heart or “ticker.”
Socollón or meneón – a big shaking movement. Another way to say earthquake (terremoto) in the local lingo.
