A thick, oval corn masa patty stuffed with beans, fava beans, or requesón cheese, cooked on a comal and topped with salsa. It's pre-Hispanic food that lives on in Mexican markets as a testament to ancestral cuisine.

To choose a character or champion at the start of a match in a competitive game. Picking well can determine whether you win or lose before the game even starts.

An influential connection who helps you get favors, jobs, permits, or paperwork by skipping the line. In Mexico and Colombia, nothing moves without palanca — having a good one is worth more than any college degree.

A modern relationship nickname that comes from the English 'baby,' massively adopted by millennials and Gen Z. Used in texts, social media, and in person as the cheesiest yet fully accepted way to call your crush or partner.