Perico
/peˈɾiko/noun
A Spanish-derived term used in English contexts for a parakeet or, in some Latin American slang, cocaine.
Did you know?Spanish perico likely began as a nickname derived from Pedro, while its cocaine meaning developed separately in Latin American slang, especially in Colombia.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*péטרos
“Rock or stone; the ancient root behind the name Peter”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Pétros (Πέτρος)
“Rock or stone; the masculine name given to Simon in the Christian tradition”
Late Latin
Latin
Petrus
“Peter, the personal name derived from Greek pétros”
Medieval Spanish
Spanish
Pero / Pedro
“Forms of the name Peter; Pero helped generate affectionate and diminutive nicknames”
Early Modern Spanish
Spanish
Perico
“A diminutive or familiar form associated with Pero/Pedro; later used for a parakeet or parrot”
Modern Spanish and English
Spanish/English
perico
“Parakeet or parrot in Spanish; in some Latin American slang, cocaine”