Does Anyone Understand The "Chulo" Phenomenon?

Partyanimal1984 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:39 pm

Allright, I have done my homework. About 25 trips to Latin America, studied Spanish in school for a while, dated Latinas, gotten to know a few families on both sides of the border. Lots of other experiences and observations. Yet, I still cannot understand this "chulo" thingy.

From what I can see; about 1/2 the working women of Costa Rica are either married, or common law with some guy who either knows what his wife does during the day (or night, depending on the agreement). Now I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want my woman out banging for bucks. I have heard this word "chulo" used to describe these guys and I am not sure what it means.

Is it a lazy dude who just wants to live off his hottie chica? Or, is it an open marriage where they both just have their fun? Or is it an abusive relationship based upon coerced sex for money, like a slave? I am good with the whole idea of getting laid for pay but why be married to it???

-A confused Partyanimal

Oc guy · **Posted:** Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:11 pm

In LA & OC, Chulo refers to a gangster.

Elmedicobueno · **Joined:** Sat Jun 05, 2004 8:26 am **Posts:** 166

actually, I think Partyanimal is right. Papichulo is a pimp. Now what we gringos think a pimp is and what a latina thinks a pimp is are 2 different things. If a husband,boyfriend, whatever live off the money made by his woman that she earns as a prostiture, then he is a pimp in latin sense. Personally, I prefer that guy Rooster from Baretta with the velvet hat and feather, but that was the good ol' USA

BrownCow · **Posted:** Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:54 pm

Chulo means cute guy...

LITERALLY...

el es mi chulo -> he is my cute guy...

that's it... The person may have other connotations associated with it.

It's similar to saying "my man." in English. With ALL the connotations depending on it's use...

i.e. my man who will beat you up if you don't pay.
my man who stays at home while I phuk guys.
My man who doesn't pay the rent but is really cute, and/or I love him, so he can be a slob and I don't care.
My man that beats me if I don't get him drug money.
My man that takes care of me and gives me huge O's...

etc... you get the picture...

Pachuco · **Joined:** Sun Oct 26, 2003 9:46 am **Posts:** 53

In Costa Rican street spanish: Chulear means to "leach" or "sponge" off someone. A chuleador or chulo is a person who is a "leach."
A CR slang word used for a man that is supported by a woman is "chivo"

Noqrtr61 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 5:58 am

Elmed:

In Barretta, the pimp was Huggy Bear.

noq

Zman · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:50 am

Papi chulo is a gigolo . It is quite common in CR for women to pay for sex.

Chulo is a gangster, a lowlife, uneducated etc....

DayDreamer · **Joined:** Fri Jun 24, 2005 2:55 pm **Posts:** 1

QBF is correct......chulo means cute guy and cholo means gangster or lowrider gang etc.

BTW, NOQ, Huggy Bear was in Starsky and Hutch not Baretta.
And quit buying drinks for Bartenders :shock:

(Noq and I are coworkers)

BL

Bktuna · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2007 5:57 pm

In CRT land, Papichulo is a sexy bald guy who lives in Panama with frequent visits to CR.

I think the definition you are looking for can best be explained by watching guys drop their wives/novias off for work at the Del Ray around 5pm every day.

BKTUNA
I am never going home

Papichullo · **Posted:** Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:46 am

[quote="Bktuna"]In CRT land, Papichulo is a sexy bald guy who lives in Panama with frequent visits to CR.

I used to be Papichullo in my past life...Now I am just PAPIPW (p*ssywhipped)...sorry VB, I know I am not that much fun any more!

VegasBob · **Posted:** Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:21 am

It's OK Papi....you are still one of the VERY few that took the plunge that I still talk to. By the way,speaking about guys who took the plunge,have you heard from Handy recently?

PacoLoco · **Posted:** Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:41 pm

You mean you didn't get an invitation from Handy to the Flower festival VB? Word is he will be dressed up like a giant pansy for the parade. :lol:

https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17497

Sandino · **Posted:** Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:31 pm

Bktuna wrote:

I think the definition you are looking for can best be explained by watching guys drop their wives/novias off for work at the Del Ray around 5pm every day.

What you've described is the definition of a "chivo". A chulo is a pimp.

Don Giovanni · **Posted:** Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:25 pm

This Urban Dictionary web page is good for researching Spanish slang:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/

All definitions are written by on-line users, and then voted up/down for accuracy by other users.

Here are their top-rated definitions for CHULO.

CHULO (125 up, 33 down)
The word in Spanish directly translates to "pimp". In Spain the word means "cool". It is synonymous with â€œbad ass" or "bad guy".

CHULO (40 up, 11 down)
Bad ass. Extra smart.
He is trying to be chulo.

CHULO (52 up, 35 down)
Literally "pimp" in Spanish or colloquially "cool," "bad-ass," or "bad guy."
Popularly used as a complimentary form of address.

"Whatup chulo?"
See also papi chulo or mami chula.

HolaB · **Joined:** Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:32 pm **Posts:** 1418

Well I guess I will impress my spanish class at the local college with my new found vocabulary next wk

My teacher about fell off the chair as I said verga instead of Vera last wk :shock:

www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Does Anyone Understand The "Chulo" Phenomenon?

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