!Ask a Mexican!

Illustration by Mark DanceyDear Mexican,

Why do Mexicans call white people gringos?

Dear gabacho,

Mexicans do not call gringos gringos. Only gringos call gringos gringos. Mexicans call gringos gabachos, which has its etymological roots in the Castilian slur for a French national and does not have anything to do with Don Gabacho, the main character in the classic 1960s Japanese puppet show Hyokkori Hyotan-Jima (Happenings on a Gourd-Shaped Island). So, next time you want to look cool in front of your Mexican friends, say, "I don't want that gabacho Mexican food they make at Taco Bell—I want the real pinche deal!"

Got a spicy question about Mexicans? Ask the Mexican at garellano@ocweekly.com.