Caló

[ kuh-loh; Spanish kah-law ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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.
a language spoken by the Spanish and Portuguese Roma.

Origin of Caló¹

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

I wish to dispose of the donkey; no one, however, will buy him; he is a Caló donkey, and every person avoids him.

I wish to dispose of the donkey: no one, however, will buy him; he is a Caló donkey, and every person avoids him.

That is Jaraicejo,” said Antonio; “a bad place it is, and a bad place it has ever been for the Caló people.

Is it in Caló that you are speaking before me, and I a chalan and national?

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