Some New Mexico slang seems to get stuck at the state line. Here are 18 New Mexico words and phrases that you’ll only understand if you’ve spent time in the Land of Enchantment.

1. Farolitos
Flickr/Paul Iwancio
During the holidays, we top our adobe walls with rows of small brown bags filled with sand and a tea light. A fire hazard? Well, the resulting light display is breathtaking enough that we just don’t care (although some people have switched to electric farolitos). Incidentally, New Mexicans who hail from the southern part of the state are currently spitting out their coffee in outrage, because they refer to this decoration as a luminaria.
2. Luminaria
Flickr/Larry Lamsa
If you want to get technical, a luminaria is actually a sidewalk bonfire that New Mexicans ignite on Christmas Eve—apparently we’re determined to involve the Fire Department in our annual celebrations!
3. Christmas-style
Flickr/Fuzzy Gerdes
If we ask whether you want your chile Christmas-style, we’re giving you the option to slather a combination of red and green chile sauce over your food, for double the burn.
4. Chile
Flickr/miheco
New Mexicans worship chile. No, we’re not talking about the South American country, although it’s presumably very nice. We mean the pepper, and our alternate spelling of the word is deliberate. Chili is the meat stew associated with places like Texas and Cincinnati. Chile is New Mexico's iconic state crop.
5. Ristra
Flickr/Alasam
We even employ chiles as decorations. Just hang a bunch of dried red ones (a ristra) from your portal.
6. Portal
Flickr/Robert Wilson
New Mexican architecture is unique and so too are the words we use to describe it. A portal (the emphasis is on the second syllable, port-aahl) is a covered front or back porch.
7. Viga
Flickr/Erin Kinney
This is one of the rough-hewn wooden beams that protrude from the exterior of New Mexican homes, or that sometimes run across the ceilings inside.
8. Kiva
Flickr/Travis
A kiva can either be one of the ceremonial spaces (often subterranean) used by the Pueblo peoples....
Flickr/mksfca
...Or a style of fireplace that is common in New Mexico.

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9. Biscochito
Flickr/Megan Eaves
A delectable union of anise and lard.
10. Burque and Burqueños
BrandonStephenson/Flickr
Burque is a nickname for Albuquerque, and Burqueños are those who live there.
11. Duke City
Flickr/KMJPhotography
Albuquerque is also known as Duke City because it was named after the eighth Duke of Alburquerque, the Viceroy of New Spain. Over time, the extra "r" disappeared.
12. ABQ
Flickr/Robert Adams
But, let’s face it, Albuquerque is still a pain to spell. No wonder we use the acronym ABQ.
13. Sunport
Flickr/James A. Casteñada
The Albuquerque International Sunport is New Mexico's main airport.
14. Big I
Flickr/Robert Adams
Boston had the big dig. New Mexico has the Big I. This huge public works project expanded the freeway interchange in Albuquerque, where I-25 and I-40 meet.
15. LA
Flickr/Ron Cogswell
LA usually means Los Angeles. But in New Mexico, we understand that you’re discussing Los Alamos, where LANL is located.
16. LANL
Flickr/Larry Lamsa
The Los Alamos National Laboratory (pronounced "lanal") is the birthplace of the atomic bomb. Today, the lab works on projects in a wide array of scientific fields—we think. Asking questions of the men and women with guns who staff the town’s checkpoint is probably a bad idea.
17. Tamalewood
Photo courtesy of Tamalewood
Tamalewood is a brand of video production services offered by Tamalewood LLC.
18. ‘Topes
Flickr/Patrick Valdez
Short for Isotopes, our minor league baseball team.

These words just scratch the surface of New Mexica slang. What other slang, words and phrases from New Mexico can you think of? On the opposite end of the spectrum, here are some things people who grew up in New Mexico will not understand.

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Words And Phrases From New Mexico

Leah | July 30, 2020

What stereotypes are there about New Mexico?

Living in New Mexico has its stereotypes, some way off the mark, and others admittedly true. Other than certain words and phrases, the state is also known for having adobe houses. Not every house is adobe, but they certainly aren't uncommon, either. Turquoise is often associated with New Mexico and its fashion, and when you have something called the Turquoise Trail that can't be denied, either. Some untrue stereotypes are that the whole state is a desert. New Mexico actually has a very diverse amount of landscapes, from vast plains to towering mountains, and a lot less desert than people think.

What are people from New Mexico known for?

New Mexico locals are known for many things. Other than their love of chile (and their adamancy that it is the best chile in the world), New Mexicans are known to have a lot of state pride and enjoy wearing the state's symbol - the Zia - on clothes, accessories, and even permanent tattoos. With so much beautiful wilderness to explore in the state, it's no wonder why many residents are known to love the outdoors. Speaking "Spanglish" isn't uncommon among New Mexicans, as well.

What are the most popular foods in New Mexico?

Life in New Mexico comes with some great perks. Namely, easy access to some fantastic food. You might have noticed that this list of words and phrases has a few food-related things because food is pretty central to New Mexican culture. At the very forefront is chile. Red or green, it is by far one of the most popular foods in the state. You can get it on just about anything or even hang it up as a decoration. Other popular foods include sopaipillas, biscochitos, and blue corn tortillas or pancakes.

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