Turkey (the bird) in Central America, specifically in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. It is the big bird you eat at Christmas, but every Spanish-speaking country calls it something different: "guajolote" in Mexico, "pavo" in Spain and South America, and "chompipe" in Central America. The word has indigenous roots and is deeply tied to holiday cooking traditions in the region.

A rope or cord in Mexico and Central America, used for tying, pulling, or hanging things around the farm, house, or anywhere you need to secure something. The word comes from Nahuatl 'mecatl' and is deeply embedded in everyday rural and domestic vocabulary.

A powerful, precise, full-force shot on goal in Central American football. A cachimba is a strike with so much power and accuracy the goalkeeper doesn't even see it pass and the ball nearly rips the net.

A round clay or metal griddle where tortillas are heated and cooked in Mexico and Central America. The comal is the soul of Mexican cooking — there's no good tortilla without a good hot comal.