The Tortilla Curtain Glossary

Glossary of Terms

beaner

a highly derogatory and offensive term for a person of Mexican descent

bracero

the Spanish term for a farmhand

bruja

the Spanish word for witch - it has very negative connotations

centavo

a unit of currency in many Latin American countries that has a very low exchange rate compared to the dollar

cocido

the Spanish term for cooked food

compadres

Spanish for "friends"

coyote

This word has several meanings throughout the story. In most cases, it refers to the animal, but it is also used to refer to those people who are paid by Mexicans in return for help illegally cross the border. These people, as Cándido and América experienced first hand, can be extremely untrustworthy. The final usage of the term is as a reference to the Mexican immigrants themselves.

democratic

This term, along with liberal, is often used to describe the values of the white people in the novel. It means unprejudiced, unbigoted, and forward-looking

gabacho

the Spanish word used to describe foreigners

gringo (or gringa)

the term Spanish speakers use to refer to white people

guatón

an extremely overweight person

huaraches

sandals

La Migra

the Spanish name for U.S. Immigration officials and the worst nightmares of illegal immigrants like Cándido

ladrón

the Spanish term for a thief

liberal

This term, along with democratic, is often used to describe the values of the white people in the novel. It means unprejudiced, unbigoted, and forward-looking

mendigo

another Spanish word for a homeless person

paisano

the Spanish term for a countryman or a compatriot

pandillero

the Spanish term for a thief

patrón

the Spanish term for a boss or an employer

pinche vida

this phrase involves profanity and is Cándido's way of referring to his cursed life

spic

a highly derogatory and offensive term for a person of Mexican descent

taquería

a taco shop or, on a larger scale, a restaurant

vago

the Spanish term with a heavy negative connotation for a homeless person

wetback

a highly derogatory and offensive term for a person of Mexican descent