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There’s nothing like a _chela bien muerta_, and all the better if it’s straight from the _c__aguama_. Mexicans enjoy their leisure time, and this country’s party culture is always just
around the corner. However, as the beers go down the slang often comes out, and knowing what certain phrases refer to in the context of drinking can be essential. The author of The Mexican
Slang Dictionary, Alasdair Baverstock, gives us ten lesser-known Mexican expressions and phrases to take your _Pachanga _to the next level. CAGUAMA – _noun_ * A sea turtle. * A large
bottle of beer, usually measuring 1.2 litres. Often shared between friends as a cheaper alternative to individual bottles. BALLENA – _noun_ A _CAGUAMA_, specifically of Pacifico beer, found
only in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, where the brewery is based. Literally, a whale. CHELA –_ noun_ Beer. The etymology of this slang stems from the name _Graciela_, which sounds similar enough to
the word _Cerveza_ to be substituted for it. The abbreviated nickname for _Graciela_, is _Chela_, which therefore applies also to the slang for beer. CHEVE – _noun_ A _NORTEÑO _equivalent of
_CHELA_. HASTA VER LA CRUZ – * _expression _To ‘down’ a drink in one go. Comes from the religious prayer candles, the containing glasses have a crucifix at the bottom, and are commonly
used for drinking _MEZCAL_ after the candle has been spent. By doing so, the drinker would ‘see the cross’ at the bottom of his glass only when it is upturned. Consequently also: * _adj
_Very drunk. HECHO UNA CUBA – _adj_ Extremely Drunk. MALA COPA – _adj _Descriptive of a person who cannot hold their drink, becomes drunk easily, or is prone to foolishness once drunk.
MEDIOS CHILES, ESTAR A – _adj_ The ‘merry’, or ‘tipsy’ state of drunkeness. Also _HAPPYSÓN_. PALOMA – _noun_ A mixed drink containing Tequila, lime juice and grapefruit soda TORITO – _noun
_Jail cell where those who have committed offences while unde the influence of alcohol are taken to sober up overnight. The ‘drunk-tank’. You can buy The Mexican Slang Dictionary on Amazon
in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. _Alisdair Baverstock is the Mexico City based author of The Mexican Slang Dictionary._