If you haven’t lived in the southwest before, get ready for a culture shock. We have many unique traditions, foods, and ways of living, but our vocabulary here in New Mexico is especially particular. If you’re moving to the Land of Enchantment, there are a few words that you should be aware of so you can fit in without a problem. Get ready for a New Mexican vocabulary lesson.
- Chile
Luz/Flickr noun, [chee-ley] Chile is life in New Mexico. Seriously, we worship it. We’re talking about the pepper, not the country in South America, and it’s purposely spelled this way. If you’re going to be in New Mexico, get ready to see and enjoy this iconic state crop everywhere.
- Ristra
Vinnie/Flickr noun, [ree-struh] A ristra is a bunch of dried red chiles, hung from houses. We even decorate with chile here.
- Christmas-style
Fuzzy Gerdes/Flickr proper noun, [kris-muhs stahyl] This popular combination of red and green chile sauce is offered atop of many dishes. Don’t think we’re asking if you want Christmas carols or Santa Claus with your meal.
- Farolitos
Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble/Flickr noun, plural, [fahr-uh-lee-tohs] During the holiday season, you’ll see many walls topped with brown illuminating paper bags. We fill paper bags with sand and a tea light, making farolitos. This might be a fire hazard, but it’s so beautiful we don’t care (although some New Mexicans opt for electric lights.)
- Luminaria
Aaron Hawkins/Flickr noun, [loo-muh-nair-ee-uh] Southern New Mexicans were probably cringing at the last vocabulary word, because they call these lights luminarias. Technically, a luminaria is a sidewalk bonfire that New Mexicans ignite on Christmas Eve. This is still a fire hazard, but equally as cool.
- Bizcochito
Megan Eaves/Flickr noun, [biz-co-chee-toh] Our state cookie: a crispy treat made with lard and anise.
- Burque
Robert Adams/Flickr proper noun, [burk] This is what we call Albuquerque, and the people who live there are Burqueños.
- Big I
Robert Adams/Flickr proper noun, [big-ahy] This daunting freeway project expanded the interchange where I-25 and I-40 meet. Bostonians take the big dig, we take the Big I.
- Portal
Robert Wilson/Flickr noun, [pohr-taahl] This is simply a covered back porch, pronounced a little differently. New Mexican architecture is so unique, and so is the vocabulary we use to describe it.
- ‘Topes
Albuquerque Isotopes/Facebook proper noun, [tohps] Our minor league baseball team, the Isotopes.
Did you know these words already? New Mexico natives, what would you add to the list? Share your words with us in the comments!
Luz/Flickr
noun, [chee-ley] Chile is life in New Mexico. Seriously, we worship it. We’re talking about the pepper, not the country in South America, and it’s purposely spelled this way. If you’re going to be in New Mexico, get ready to see and enjoy this iconic state crop everywhere.
Vinnie/Flickr
noun, [ree-struh] A ristra is a bunch of dried red chiles, hung from houses. We even decorate with chile here.
Fuzzy Gerdes/Flickr
proper noun, [kris-muhs stahyl] This popular combination of red and green chile sauce is offered atop of many dishes. Don’t think we’re asking if you want Christmas carols or Santa Claus with your meal.
Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble/Flickr
noun, plural, [fahr-uh-lee-tohs] During the holiday season, you’ll see many walls topped with brown illuminating paper bags. We fill paper bags with sand and a tea light, making farolitos. This might be a fire hazard, but it’s so beautiful we don’t care (although some New Mexicans opt for electric lights.)
Aaron Hawkins/Flickr
noun, [loo-muh-nair-ee-uh] Southern New Mexicans were probably cringing at the last vocabulary word, because they call these lights luminarias. Technically, a luminaria is a sidewalk bonfire that New Mexicans ignite on Christmas Eve. This is still a fire hazard, but equally as cool.
Megan Eaves/Flickr
noun, [biz-co-chee-toh] Our state cookie: a crispy treat made with lard and anise.
Robert Adams/Flickr
proper noun, [burk] This is what we call Albuquerque, and the people who live there are Burqueños.
proper noun, [big-ahy] This daunting freeway project expanded the interchange where I-25 and I-40 meet. Bostonians take the big dig, we take the Big I.
Robert Wilson/Flickr
noun, [pohr-taahl] This is simply a covered back porch, pronounced a little differently. New Mexican architecture is so unique, and so is the vocabulary we use to describe it.
Albuquerque Isotopes/Facebook
proper noun, [tohps] Our minor league baseball team, the Isotopes.
If you live in the Land of Enchantment, you probably already say these phrases.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
