Tamales, Tacos & Other Spanish Delights

Spanish is the fourth most widely-spoken language (when you include native plus second-language speakers) in the world.

In America, Spanish is already the unacknowledged second language.

You can't walk a few steps in several US cities without hearing people jabbering in Spanish. From San Diego in the South West to to Miami in the South East and in Chicago, New York City, Seattle, Houston, Atlanta and scores of other American cities, Spanish is often heard on the street.

In some sectors like construction and chicken farms, you must know Spanish to manage the largely Latino crew.

I give it no more than four or five decades before Spanish relegates English to second place in the U.S.

In my younger days, the only Spanish word I knew was siesta (short afternoon nap) because that was my favorite activity! Nah, all my attention was on English those days. Now I can manage to hold short conversations with my Mexican amigos.

Here are a few dozen Spanish words that have come my way over the years:

• Anexo: unorthodox treatment centers for drug and alcohol addicts in Mexico
• Padrino: person in charge of an anexo in Mexico
• Jalapeno: fiery Mexican chillies
• Olla Podrida: a Spanish stew made with chickpeas or beans, assorted meats like pork, beef, bacon, partridge, chicken, ham, and sausage, and vegetables such as carrots, leeks, cabbage, potatoes, and onions
• La Chamuca: the witch
• Paella: Spanish rice dish cooked with saffron and a mix of seafood, chicken, rabbit or vegetables
• Nachos: Crispy tortilla chips topped with melted cheese, beans, meat, jalapeños, salsa, and sour cream
• Guacamole: Creamy avocado dip mixed with lime juice, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and seasonings
• Burrito: large flour tortillas wrapped around fillings such as rice, beans, meat, cheese and salsa
• Enchiladas: corn tortillas rolled around a filling, covered in chili sauce, and baked with cheese
• Tamale: a dish of masa (corn dough) stuffed with meat, cheese, or vegetables, then steamed in corn husks or banana leaves
• Salsa: spicy sauce or dip
• Guerrilla: irregular warfare or fighter
• Adobe: sun-dried mud brick
• Hacienda: a large landed estate that includes a grand manor house, farmland, workers' quarters, and livestock and agricultural operations
• Coyote: a wild dog-like canine
• Embargo: a government trade ban
• Corrido: traditional Mexican folk ballad
• Macho: aggressively masculine
• Fiesta: festive party or celebration
• Plaza: open public square
• Corrida: Bull fight
• Bodega: corner stores in NYC selling food, rice, plantain, candy, lottery, etc
• Bodegueros: owners of bodegas
• Amigo: friend
• Señor: a respectful form of address to a man
• Señora: a respectful form of address to a woman
• Narcocorridos: accordion-heavy cartel ballads
• Idiota: idiot
• Señorita: a respectful form of address to a young woman
• Habla Se Espanol? Do you speak Spanish
• Sombrero: a broad-brimmed hat traditionally worn in Mexico
• Casa: house or home
• Familia: family
• Tequila: agave spirit produced primarily in Jalisco (Mexico)