This also happens to be a mega blog post about Spanish differences. The word PALO includes many meanings and phrases tied to it. Check it out.
PALO generically refers to a stick, like a broom stick, a pool stick or baseball bat-type stick. However, PALO may also refer to the soccer goal posts. Also, in Argentina, PALO is a million Argentine pesos. A palo verde is a million US dollars for both Argentina and Chile.
For Puerto Rico, un palo may mean a resounding success as in Mi presentación frente El Congreso fue un palo. In a different context, it’s slang for an alcoholic drink as in Después de mi reunión, salí con mis compadres a darnos un palo. A third meaning is a tree as in Papi cortó el palo de aguacate en casa porque bloqueaba el sol.
Also for Puerto Rico if you have someone al palo, this means that you have tight control or pressure over them. For example, Mi jefe me tiene al palo con el presupuesto este mes. This could be dangerous as in Argentina al palo means to be horny or to have a hard-on.
For Peru, palo means a lie. Spain provides several other meanings. Any variety of flamenco dancing is called a palo. It is also a heist, as in a robbery. It may refer to any suit of cards. A fourth meaning is a beating as in Me llevé un palo cuando me robaron.
Just by learning this one word you can increase your vocabulary significantly. There must be more Spanish synonyms, meanings and uses of PALO. Do share.
Check out these other articles about the Spanish Language.
Featured photo credit: t’s just a stick… by mendhak via flickr