Caló

Sometimes ca·ló

[kuh-loh, kah-law]

noun

1. a variety of Spanish influenced by Mexican underworld argot with a large admixture of English words, spoken especially by Mexican Americans in cities of the southwestern United States.

2. a language spoken by the Spanish and Portuguese Roma.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Caló¹

First recorded in 1840–45 Caló for def. 2, and in 1945–50 Caló for def. 1; from Spanish, from Romani

Example Sentences

I called him up and said “Hey, what’s up, Bobby? I’m Caló. I really like your music. Would you be open to the possibility of doing something together?”

From Los Angeles Times

“The price for free speech should not be this high,” said Arturo Carmona, president and publisher of Caló News, a news site that covers issues that matter to English-speaking Latinos.

From Los Angeles Times

Calo: We wanted it to sound like when you’re in a room with way too many people who’ve known each other for way too long and are probably drinking way too much.

From Los Angeles Times

Calo: It’s usually the matriarchs doing all the work to make these Christmases nice for their families, and it’s just f— miserable.

From Los Angeles Times

Calo: There’s no level of appreciation that would make it work for Donna.

From Los Angeles Times