General
codo
What does codo mean?
Describes a tightwad; someone who won't spend money.
"¡Ese codo ni pagó la cena!"
Origin
Literally 'elbow'; from the gesture/idea of being 'tight' with money.
Frequently asked questions
What does codo mean in slang?
It means stingy or cheap — a tightwad who won't spend money, even though the literal meaning of 'codo' is 'elbow'.
Why does codo mean stingy?
It draws on the idea of being 'tight', playfully linked to the elbow; Mexicans even mime tapping an elbow to call someone cheap.
How do you call someone cheap in Mexican Spanish?
You call them 'codo', as in 'Ese codo ni pagó la cena' — that cheapskate didn't even pay for dinner.
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