puto
poo-tohnoun
Spanish & ChicanoVulgarDifficulty 1 of 3: Widely known
Know it. Don't throw it. This is the real heat — here so you can clock it in a song, a comment, or the next table over. Take it for a spin and you'll find out who still wants to talk to you.
Definition
A vicious insult. In a lot of mouths it is a homophobic slur. In others it means coward, bitch, snitch. Either way it is meant to degrade.
In simple English: A very strong insult, often a homophobic slur, or a word for a coward.
Examples
People throw puto around like it is just “coward.” It often is not.
Don’t teach that word like it is a synonym for dude. It isn’t.
Usage notes
Documented so you can recognize it and stay out of it. Often a slur for gay men. Using it as flavor in your Spanish is a good way to tell on yourself.
At a glance
- Track
- Spanish & Chicano
- Region
- Statewide
- Part of speech
- noun