Órale

Órale is a common interjection in Mexican slang [1] with varying connotations, including an affirmation that something is impressive, an agreement with a statement (akin to "word"), or a simple greeting. According to the Brief Dictionary of Mexicanisms found on the web site of the Mexican Academy of the Language, [2] the word’s origin is a shortening of “ahora”, meaning “now”, with the added suffix “-le”, which is a grammatical expletive – a word part that occupies a position without adding to the sense. Compare “ándale” and “épale”.

In media and pop culture

• As a greeting, the word was used by Cheech Marin in his 1987 film Born in East L.A. in the phrase Órale vato, ¡wassápenin! meaning Hello man, what's happening? a popular phrase used by Mexican Americans who have taken the gitano word vato from northern Mexico slang to mean man.

• The phrase was also popularized in professional wrestling (as a de facto catch-phrase) by Konnan and Eddie Guerrero.

• Óoorale! is the name of a popular Mexican gossip magazine, known for its pornographic content and forged photographs.^[1]

References

1. ^ "SECRETS OF OORALE!". Davidlida.com. http://davidlida.com/?page_id=54. Retrieved 2008-09-28.