Un caballito de algo - derecho

Question

Hi all,

I was listening to some people talk about a drink (a shot of tequila, specifically) and thought I heard a bartender say ¨con limón o derecho?¨. Does this sound possible, and if so, would derecho mean ¨plain¨ or ¨neat¨?

Hola a todos.

Estaba escuchando algunas personas hablando de un caballito de tequila y creo que escuché la frase ¨con limón o derecho?¨ Es posible la escuche correctamente? Y donde sí, significa más o menos ¨puro¨?

(corrections on my Spanish attempt always just as welcome as the actual answers, btw)

Gracias!

Roger

This is all very interesting! I've learned something new today! - AlanJP7, Aug 27, 2013

Yes, puro is the right word, even in Mexico. If it they are speaking Spanish and not a mix of Spanglish, how twisted can it get? ;-D - chileno, Aug 28, 2013

Answer 1

Hello rogspax,

First of all, you caught my attention with caballito. In Spain we say chupito. (shot of drink).

About directo derecho, maybe they are saying that as a translation of straight (unmixed, undiluted). I've heard, on american movies and TV series, people ordering 'whisky, straight'. And straight can be also translated as directo derecho.

So, I think you were right about puro. Anyway, better let's wait for someone from Mexico to clarify.

Un saludo.

[Feel free to correct my English. Thank you]

Puro is what it *should* be used, but Mexican adopt and adapt very easy to Spanglish. :) - chileno, Aug 28, 2013

Thanks guys. Note, it was derecho, not directo. And yes, it seems to be like straight or neat. If I ever make it to Spain, I¨m going to need a Mexican-Spanish phrasebook. ;) - rogspax, Aug 28, 2013

Oh, and lest I neglect it, Thanks! - rogspax, Aug 28, 2013

Answer 2

I am fairly certain that ordering a drink "derecha" is the equivalent of ordering a drink "straight up" in English.

"Una bebida derecha es la que se sirve directo en la copa o vaso sin agregar nada mas, nisiquiera hielo."

My sources

Thanks Alyssa! Makes sense. And I heard derechO because it´s El tequila. - rogspax, Aug 28, 2013

Answer 3

No cabe duda, a cabellito is a shot.

Tenemos tequileros

Derecho= straight, a literal translation.

En la mayoria de veces el tequila se toma derecho

El Tequila Caballito Silver es un tequila blanco que tiene un sabor claro y fuerte,está hecho para tomarse derecho

Los americanos vienen a beber tequila como Pedro Infante: dos onzas de caballo, de golpe y derecho

Thanks Rodney. I loved the blog post too. I ended up bringing back one of those ´interesting´ caballitos for a bawdy humored mesera I know and she loved it (two well-engaged frogs with sombreros - totally cheesy, but funny too) - rogspax, Aug 28, 2013

Really cool that you got a reply on the origins on your blog too. - rogspax, Aug 28, 2013

Answer 4

In Spain don't use that. We say: un chupito de tequila, solo. (Unmixed) but not derecho...

Thanks Dantscher. - rogspax, Aug 28, 2013