Spanish Loan Words

Words that have Spanish Origins

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Aficionado n.• aficionar to

engender affection• Enthusiastic fan

• If you claim to like Twilight, then you must be an aficionado.

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Alcove n.

• Spanish alcoba• A nook or small

room

• John created a small alcove off of his bedroom for studying.

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Desperado n.

• pseudo-Sp alteration of desperate

• A reckless criminal or outlaw (esp. of the American Frontier)

• Jesse James is often considered to be a desperado.

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Embargo n.

• derived of embargar to hinder

• A restraint or restriction

• The U.S. issued a trade embargo with Cuba in the 1960’s.

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Filibuster n.• Sp. filibustero• A person who slows

down legislation by making long, drawn-out speeches

• Senator Chat E. Mann is known as a filibuster.

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Guerrilla n.• Sp, from guerra war• a member of a band

of irregular soldiers, usually not authorized by the government

• A Greek guerrilla group claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack.

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Lariat n.• Sp, la reata • a rope used to catch

cattle or horses; lasso

• Lasso Lou always carried a lariat with her.

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Machismo n.

• Spanish, from macho• An exaggerated sense of

strength or toughness

• Marsha wanted a machismo kind of guy. She felt safe with a strong and tough man around.

Renegade n.• Sp. renegado• a person who deserts a

party or cause for another.

• Annie Oakley is considered a renegade. She broke out of the stereotypical role of a woman and became one of the best sharpshooters of her time.

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Siesta n.

• a midday or afternoon rest

• After an early morning start and a filling lunch, the cowboy thought it was time to take a siesta.

Vamoose v.• vamos--let us go • To leave hurriedly

• Vamoose deodorizers promise to instantly rid your house of any lingering odors.

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Vigilante n.• vigilante literally means

“watchman” in Spanish• any person who takes the

law into his or her own hands

• The Detroit native acted as a vigilante in an effort to subdue the man who was trying to take over the plane.

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