wab

n. a Mexican. Also v. wab or wab out ‘to dress or behave like a stereotypical Mexican.’ Subjects: English, Derogatory

Editorial Note: This term appears to be most common in California. Etymological Note: Usually said to be a shortening of wetback, perhaps from the abbreviation w.b.

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Citations: 1998 William Finnegan Cold New World (May 12) p. 216 @ (June 7, 1999): “I just hope Victoria doesn’t look like a little wab.” Wab—short for wetback—was, I had already discovered, the single most popular local youth insult. “Whenever my mom has Victoia for more than a couple of hours, she’s totally wabbed out—ribbons everywhere, little sandals, frilly socks.” 2001 Gustavo Arellano OC Weekly (California) (Feb. 2) “The Mexican-American War, every Sunday in Anaheim”: You half-baked beaners should learn English, damn it! You fat, piss-drunk, chicharron-eating wabs! None of you belong here! I see a lot of wasted space in my country gesturing at his own muscular chest occupied by you wabs jabbing his finger at the audience ! All of you Mexicans can kiss my great white ass! 2001 Theresa Walker Orange County Register (California) (May 15) “The Sounds of ‘Silence’ Series: teens” p. 1: I hate being called “wab,” it’s a slur for Mexicans, like wetback. 2005 Gustavo Arellano Orange County Weekly (California) (July 22) “¡Ask A Mexican!”: “Wab” is a slur that assimilated Mexicans use to describe and deride recently arrived Mexicans.…The etymology of wab is unknown—could either be a mongrelization of “wetback” or “wop.”

Posted 28 Jul 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend