food that the government distributed
This word has two entries in the Tesoro Lexicográfico del Español de Puerto Rico:
1. When the word is used in interjection phrases such as ¡me cago en la potoroca! and ¡me caso en la potoroca! it expresses anger or annoyance.
2. Food that the government distributed to poor people in Puerto Rico
The Tesoro Lexicográfico del Español de Puerto Rico indicates that it is an afronegrismo and is the pronunciation of Puerto Rico (potorika) by black angloantillanos or anglo-speakers from the islands of the Antilles, although no definite origin exists.