Órale

Órale is a common Spanish interjection in Mexican-American slang and also in all regions of Mexico used commonly as a exclamation expressing approval or encouragement. The term has varying connotations, including an affirmation that something is impressive, an agreement with a statement (akin to "word") or distress. According to the Brief Dictionary of Mexicanisms found on the web site of the Mexican Academy of the Language,^[1] the word’s origin is a shortening of “ahora”, meaning “now”, with the added suffix “-le”, which is a grammatical expletive – a word part that occupies a position without adding to the sense. Compare “ándale” and “épale”.

In media and pop culture

• As a greeting, the word was used by Cheech Marin in his 1987 film Born in East L.A. in the phrase Órale vato, ¡wassápenin! meaning All right man!, what's happening? a popular phrase used by Mexican Americans who have taken the gitano word vato from northern Mexico slang to mean man.
• The phrase was also popularized in professional wrestling (as a de facto catch-phrase) by Eddie Guerrero.
• Óoorale! is the name of a popular Mexican gossip magazine, known for its pornographic content and forged photographs.^[2]
• Beck's 1996 album, Odelay, uses a phonetic English rendering of 'órale' as its title.
• Stand-up comedian Gabriel Iglesias uses the term frequently, referencing his Mexican heritage.
• The term is used often in the 1992 film American Me.
• The term is used in the 1998 video game Grim Fandango.
• Órale is the name of the Grammy-nominated 7th album by Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea
• In George Lopez's eponymous ABC sitcom which originally aired from 2002-2007, his titular character often shouted 'Órale!' in many situations.
• In the FX Original Series Sons Of Anarchy, "Órale" was frequently used by the Byzlats during conversation.

References

1. Academia.org Archived September 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
2. "SECRETS OF OORALE!". Davidlida.com. Retrieved 2008-09-28.