In the Spanish culture many people have nicknames (apodos or sobrenombres). It is interesting to note that in the Costa Rican underworld (el bajo mundo or el hampa) criminals are given funny nicknames.

Here are some of them that I gleaned from the local newspapers.

Bin Laden – This guy must be a real gem to be nicknamed after a terrorist.
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A pie – on foor or a pata (slang)
Al pie de la letra – literally or verbatim
Al pie de la montaña – at the foot of the mountain
Al pie del cañón – on the job
Buscar tres pies al gato – to look for trouble
Cojear del mismo pie – to be birds read more

Comerse or tragarse sus palabras – to eat one’s own words Cruzar palabras – to cross words Cumplir su palabra – to keep one’s word Dar la palabra – to give someone the floor or right to speak Dejar con la palabra en la boca – to leave someone talking Hombre de palabra – a man of his word Medir sus palabras – to choose one’s words carefully Palabra – a word Palabrota – a swear word Romper su palabra – to break one’s word Tener la palabra – to have the floor (your turn to speak) Te tomo tu palabra – I’ll take your word for it Verbalmente – by word of mouth or por otras bocas Verboso – wordy Tiquismos: Palabrear – to try and convince someone Un pájaro me dijo – by word of mouth

With the National and American league playoffs in progress and the World Series around the corner I have included some baseball vocabulary:

Atrapar – To catch a ball
Barrerse – To slide
La Base – Base
Las bases llenas – The bases are loaded
Batazo – A hit
El Bate read more