General
pibe
What does pibe mean?
Used for 'kid' as a term of pride, as in 'el pibe del barrio' (the local boy made good).
"Maradona was forever 'el pibe de oro', the golden kid."
Origin
Lunfardo from late-1800s/early-1900s Buenos Aires, documented by the Academia Portena del Lunfardo; the leading etymology is Genoese 'pivetto', though the Academia notes the origin is not fully settled.
Frequently asked questions
What does pibe mean?
It means a boy, kid, or young guy in Argentine slang.
What is the feminine form?
Piba, meaning a girl or young woman.
Where did pibe come from?
Likely from Genoese 'pivetto' (young apprentice), though the exact origin is debated.
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