naco

adj. common, ordinary, plebeian, unfashionable, vulgar. Subjects: Spanish, Mexico, United States, Derogatory, Slang

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Citations: 1983 Oakland Ross Globe and Mail (Toronto, Can.) (Oct. 15) “A festival where symbols of whiteness are over-rated” p. P9: Middle-class Mexicans, she said, tend to use a single adjective to dismiss all that is perhaps most real and most wonderful about Mexican culture, simply because it is dark-complexioned and simply because it springs from the poor. The adjective is naco. Basically untranslatable, it means something like “vulgar.” 1992 Ivan Ordonez-Reinoso Usenet: soc.culture.mexican (May 10) “Re: Racismo”: Esto es muy triste, pues revela un complejo de inferioridad social. La mayoria de los latinoamericanos somos mestizos, pero preferimos a la gente con apariencia sajona. Acaso el desagradable termino peyorativo “naco” no se referia en su acepcion original a la gente de bajos recursos y de piel morena? He escuchado a varias personas hacer comentarios tales como “es bonita, nada mas que es prieta”, refiriendose a alguna muchacha, como si ser morena fuera un defecto. 2004 NPR (July 8) “Day to Day: It’s Hip to Be ‘Naco’”: In Great Britain, they’re known as “Kevins.” In the U.S., the words “nerd,” “redneck” and “cheesy” come to mind. For Mexicans, it’s “naco”—a term that covers everything from guys draped in gold chains to people who dance funny. Some Mexicans still find the word offensive. It was initially a derogatory term used to insult indigenous people and the poor. But for many, “naco” has morphed into a term that represents personal style—or lack thereof—rather than class or wealth. 2004 [elenamary] Daily Texican (Dallas, Texas) (Nov. 23) “Cholo Word Of The Day—Naco”: In México the word “Naco’ is a racisit term for an “indio,” thus not just “indio’ but almost like saying “nigger’.…I remember going to see “Y Tu mama tambien” with some Chilango friends of mine. They translated the word “naco” to “White-trash” my friend brought up and noted that it was actually the opposite of White trash. “Opposite” was the word he used. Opposite because “naco” is someone who is very indeginous and indegionus as if it is a bad thing. My definition could be different in that my Spanish is Southern Mexican Spanish, not cholo spanish, not Spanglish, and not big-city-pesudo-northern-Mexcio Guadalajara Spanish.… I stand by my comment it is just as bad as the word “nigger,” in my spanish. I did not grow-up in a chicano community nor in northern Mexico. In the Spanish of Mexico City and to the south of it, “Naco’ is a terrible racist term. 2004 [Becky] Daily Texican (Dallas, Texas) (Nov. 23) “Cholo Word Of The Day—Naco”: In Mexico City, where I grew up, “naco” is not just racist, it’s classist and a pretty offensive term. Basically, anybody who is dark-skinned and/or poor may be termed a “naco.” I’ve even heard people refer to things as “nacadas” (i.e., someone who acts rudely does a “nacada,” or something that looks tacky is a “nacada”). It’s amazing the number of people I’ve heard use it in front of me when referring to someone else, but not dare use it to the person to whom they were referring. (It’s considered that offensive!)

Posted 11 Jul 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

In Mexico, a very derogatory / racist reference to a poor person (invariably of Indian appearance).

by Steve Hammel 26 May 06, 0159 GMT

it can also be used for fun, not only to offend

by naco 16 May 07, 1021 GMT

usu used like ‘que naco’ or ‘que naca’ for a girl.

by florero 06 Feb 08, 0231 GMT