3 definitions by jorgemariozuleta

pelis

Obsolete or deprecated jargon term used in Costa Rica as a synonym for bad. It seems it was forged by the common use of a joyful technique called the Malespín during the last century. This word game proposed the change of letter A by E, the I by O, M to P and T to B.

So Pelis is merely the result of "Malos" (Bads) in Malespín.

Also "Tuanis" ("Buenos") is for Good or great, or Work ("Trabajo") is "Brete" ("Breteji", actually. We drop the last two letters with the time).
How was the movie?
Lame! (Pelis!)

You look so pelis! (¡Te ves fatal!)

Pelis Malos Tuanis Buenos Costa Rica Malespin

by jorgemariozuleta November 15, 2016

Zarpe

The word for a ship's departure in Spanish is "zarpe." It is likely that Costa Rica, a country with so much coastline, would have adopted that phrase as a method to declare leaving a place.
The term "zarpe" is a traditional joyful expression that refers to the last drink poured at a party.
It is also agreed that any final activity before departing may be referred to as a "zarpe."

Last one and off we go. This is el Zarpe
Let's have the last beer. Waiter, bring us ek Zarpe

by jorgemariozuleta October 16, 2022

tuanis

This word was created from a tico slang called Malespín. The costarican army, in the middle of the war with Nicaragua, found that the military orders were intercepted by the "nica" spies. The general Malespín proposed that the letter A was changed by E, the I by O, M to P and T to B.

So Tuanis is the code word from "Buenos" (good, great) in Malespín.

Also "Malos" (bad, evil) is Pelis or Work ("Trabajo") is "Brete" ("Breteji", actually. We drop the last two letters with the time).

How was the movie?
Great! (Tuanis!)

That stuff is awesome! (¡Qué tuanis esa vara!)

by jorgemariozuleta July 20, 2008