Jaca
From Puerto Rican Spanish, it literally means "small horse for riding or driving" usually translated in English as “mare”, “nag” or “pony.” Etymologically, it is though to come from the archaic English word to designate horses for riding: "hackney", also the name for the northeast area in 13th century London where horses formally grazed.
A “jaca” is not useful to conduct any work except for riding (in this sense, it is less useful than a mule). Therefore, it is often used as a derogatory term to refer to someone (especially a woman) who is incapable of completing a simple task, even a menial one; someone (usually a woman) who is useless, worthless, a moron, an idiot. Although not technically correct, it is also used as a synonym to "yegua" (mare). In South Florida, a “jaca” is also referred to as “valeria”, probably from someone’s “jaca” who was given the name “valeria.”
A “jaca” is not useful to conduct any work except for riding (in this sense, it is less useful than a mule). Therefore, it is often used as a derogatory term to refer to someone (especially a woman) who is incapable of completing a simple task, even a menial one; someone (usually a woman) who is useless, worthless, a moron, an idiot. Although not technically correct, it is also used as a synonym to "yegua" (mare). In South Florida, a “jaca” is also referred to as “valeria”, probably from someone’s “jaca” who was given the name “valeria.”
Jaca by Cabro Papito October 9, 2008
