General
placa
What does placa mean?
In Chicano Caló, the police (badge), or a person's graffiti tag/street name.
"Aguas, ahí anda la placa. / Dejó su placa en la pared."
Origin
From 'placa' (badge/plaque); dual police / tag meaning.
Frequently asked questions
What does placa mean in Caló?
It has two slang senses: the police (from the badge), and a person's graffiti tag or street nickname written on a wall.
Why does placa mean both cops and a tag?
Both come from the literal meaning 'plaque' or 'badge'. A cop's badge is a placa, and a graffiti signature is also a placa left on the wall.
How can you tell which meaning of placa is meant?
Context makes it clear. 'Ahí anda la placa' warns about police, while 'dejó su placa en la pared' refers to a graffiti tag.
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