Chido, neta and naco are words of common use in Mexico and that are not part of the vocabulary of other countries where Spanish is spoken. The three words we analyze have something in common: they have emerged from the ingenuity and creativity of the Mexican people.
It is said that something is or is cool when it is good, beautiful or interesting in some way
A type of music, a plate of food, a video or a car can be classified as cool. Therefore, if a chilango (inhabitant of Mexico D. F) says that something is cool, it indicates that it is pleasant for some reason, usually because of its aesthetics. In the Spanish of Mexico "está chido" is equivalent to "is great." Although this term is used to qualify something positively, it is also used to express agreement with someone, that is, it is equivalent to "I agree".
Regarding its origin, there are several versions. Some argue that it comes from the Nahualt language. For others, its origin is found in Caló, the language of the gypsy ethnic group. Others claim that it comes from the word "chundo", a type of triangular basket used to carry things of a certain weight.
In conversations of daily life in Mexico it is very common to use the word net
It is commonly used in the form of an exclamation or question and is equivalent to expressions such as "seriously!" or "really?" Thus, if someone says something surprising, his interlocutor might respond "net!". Neta is a very colloquial word and its true meaning depends on the context of the language. If someone says "I assure you that it is the net" this statement is equivalent to "I assure you that it is the truth".
As for its origin, it is believed that it comes from the French net, which means pure and which in turn is an abbreviation of the Latin nitidus, in sharp Spanish.
Naco is a word that is used in a derogatory way and in very colloquial contexts
It refers to an individual with little education, rude and with inadequate clothing (in Spain a naco would be a tacky). Regarding its origin, it is believed that the term naco comes from the Ópata language (in this language a naco is a cactus and this plant does not have exactly positive connotations).
Photos: Fotolia - macrovector / jamesbin
