cholo

English

Borrowed from Spanish cholo, of uncertain origin.

cholo (plural cholos)

(derogatory) A Mexican or Hispanic gang member, or somebody perceived to embody similar characteristics.
Coordinate term: chola
- 1999, Dorothy Leonard-Barton, Walter C. Swap, When Sparks Fly: Igniting Creativity in Groups, p. 87:
  When Converse's cool-hunter DeeDee Gordon was in Los Angeles, she saw white teenage girls dressing like cholos, or Mexican gangsters, wearing tight white tank tops known as "wife beaters," a bra strap hanging out, long shorts, tube socks, and shower sandals.

cholo

From an Amerindian word of uncertain meaning.

cholo m (plural cholos, feminine chola, feminine plural cholas)

(South America, derogatory) mestizo, person of mixed European and various degrees of Amerindian descent, especially if the person is of low economic resources
Synonyms: ladino, mestizo
(Mexico, historical) a poor Mexican, often living in California during 19th century
(Mexico, US, informal) a person belonging to a street gang
Synonyms: pandillero, marero, gángster

cholo (feminine chola, masculine plural cholos, feminine plural cholas)

(colloquial, El Salvador) ripped, with defined muscles
Mi hijo ya se está poniendo cholo ahora que va al gimnasio.
My son is getting ripped now that he goes to the gym.
Synonyms: musculoso, (El Salvador) cholotón
(colloquial, El Salvador) skillful (especially in a sport, but also figuratively in a dancing style, chess or a science)
Sí, él es bien cholo en taekwondo. Ha estado yendo cuatro días a la semana por años.
Yes, he's pretty good in taekwondo. He's been going four days a week for years.
Synonyms: diestro, habilidoso