My first three favorites have to do with cars. It seems like at every intersection in Panama City there is a car-wash, an auto-body shop, or someone walking down the road with his own personal squirt bottle of suds and squeegee waiting to give your car a cleanin’.

1. Wishy Washy- windshield wipers

2. Rins- car rims

3. Revosh- to reverse

Ask any Panamanian where Reggaeton originated and they will tell you Panama, duh. For my next few curiously English words I would like to explore the lexicon of Reggaeton, some of my favorite dance music.

4. Blin Blin- bling aka jewerly

5. Tripear- you’re trippin’

6. Hanguear- to hang out

7. Backeo- back it up, back it up

8. Remis- like you hear constantly in rap songs, it’s da REmix.

9. Respet- I believe this one is also borrowed from rap music, you’ll often hear live Reggaeton singers shouting for the crowd to respect, respect.

Last, but not least, my favorite widely used Panamanian slang word:
10. Fren- just like it sounds, my friend.

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Filed under: Country Guide on March 10th, 2008