David, also known as Viejo, Chimuelo, and Viejillo.

Everyone in Mexico seems to have a nickname. Or two. Or three. But don’t take my word for it. Here is an actual list of the people who I work with at Zamora’s Carniceria La Blanca and their actual nicknames. Thanks to Edwardo for his able assistance.

    Angela
Angie (pronounced with an American accent)
Niña (an expected fate for the only woman working there)
Niñita

    Juan
Juanito
Tacataca (apparently this has something to do with a type of sandwich)

    Alejandro
Niño (The youngest of the siblings who run the place)
Charro (One of those guys with a big hat, big boots, and a horse)
Mystico
Pony

    Carlos
Corovado
Bofe

    Peter
Pedrito
Piedro (close to “rock,” which is piedra, and also what Peter means)

    Edwardo
Bitch (It’s a butcher shop, not a finishing school.)
Fish (My less offensive alternative that also makes fun of the other guy’s near total inability to pronounce a hard b)
Sebu (This has something to do with the lump on his back that makes him look remotely like a bull.)
M & M (If you know him and have seen a particular commercial this is apparently a riot.)

    David
Viejo (literally old, it is also what Spanish Bart Simpson calls Spanish Homer Simpson)
Chimuelo (toothless, which he nearly is)
Viejillo

    Ruben
Rubio (literally blonde, and not true)

And it doesn’t end there. “Güey” is often used where we would use “dude.” Ditto for “Cabrone.” Then there are the usual compliment of conventional nicknames, such as “Paco” for those named Francisco. I could write more of these, but we might run out of electrons.

And still others are of more limited vintage. In the butcher shop, just in the last few weeks, the word “piña” has now taken on meaning past pineapple, the original. Now it also means a lazy person.

That’s all for this week. Add your favorite Mexican nicknames to the comments section, and then it’s time to get back to work, you piñas!