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How to Speak Bad-Ass Spanish: ¡Pinche!
The one word that will get you “in” at a Mexican restaurant.
Pinche is the best word ever.
There, I said it. No one has ever said that about a word so you’re fortunate to be able to share in the moment.
“Orale, Pedro, why is pinche the best word ever?” Mark my words: Best word EVER!
Let me explain.
Directly translated into Mexi-Spanish, pinche means bitch. In official Spanish it means kitchen helper. I do NOT recommend that you ever call the kitchen helper pinche. At least not in North America.
What’s Mexi-Spanish?
You don’t really think Spaniards and Mexicans speak the same language, do you? Mexicans often create a slang use of a word to mean something completely different than it means in Spain. Why? Because they’re cooler than Spaniards.
No offense to Spaniards, but they’re like your parents: they’re okay, but they aren’t cool. Hence, Mexi-Spanish.
Back to Our Lesson: Pinche
Mexicans LOVE the word pinche and I’ve found that Americans who understand how the word works love it as well, especially those that don’t speak Spanish because it gives them a little “Spanish lingo” to toss unexpectedly into a conversation at a Mexican restaurant.
Besides, who doesn’t like to pretend they speak a foreign language? Gosh, I toss out German phrases all the time. Hast du ein Vogel im Kopf? Look it up.
It feels cool, like I’ve got it going on. By the way, “gosh” in Mexi-Spanish = chispas. Look at all the words you’re learning today! Your mom would be proud.
Admittedly, I can’t remember the last time I used the word “gosh,” but it seemed like an opportunity to teach another word. Plus, throwing in Spanish words is like cussing without really cussing, and everyone loves that.
I Digress
You can say pinche in front of your mother and here’s what she’s going to say: “Oh, sweetie, you’re learning Spanish. That’s great. For someone your age.” Yeah, your mom can be real pinche sometimes.
Finally: The Definition
So what DOES pinche mean in Mexi-Spanish?
This is why I LOVE the word: It depends on HOW…
