Cholo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtʃolo]) was a racial category used in 18th-century Spanish America to refer to people who were three-quarters Amerindian by descent and one-quarter Spanish.
cholo, a young person who participates in or identifies with Mexican American gang subculture. The term, sometimes used disparagingly, is derived from early Spanish and Mexican usage and denotes marginalization.
CHOLO definition: (especially among Mexican Americans) a teenage boy who is a member of a street gang. See examples of cholo used in a sentence.
In the barrios of East L.A. lives a vibrant community of cholos, a Chicano subculture with a distinct and iconic style. Today, cholo culture is worldwide, and everybody wants in on their “stilo,” but the origins of this phenomenon often go overlooked.
A cholo or chola is a member of a Chicano and subculture or life-style associated with a particular set of dress, behavior and philosophy which originated in Los Angeles.
The rise of the positive use of the word “cholo” and cholo culture coincided with the Chicano movement of the 1960s. As Chicanxs were rising up, organizing, and demanding their civil rights, “cholo” was turned on its head, reclaimed and now used to express Chicano pride and identity.
Cholos are a subculture originating from the Chicano youth (Mexican-American diaspora) in California. It evolved from and was heavily influenced by the Pachuco culture of the 1930s to 1950s. Female Cholos are referred to as Cholas, and old Cholos are referred to as Veteranos/as.
"Vato" and "cholo" are slang terms deeply rooted in Mexican-American and Chicano culture, carrying specific meanings and cultural significance. While "vato" refers to a male friend or acquaintance, "cholo" represents a more complex cultural identity associated with style, attitude, and affiliation.