Calo is an argot or slang of Mexican Spanish which originated during which period in the Southwestern United States?

• A. Second half of the 20th Century
• B. First half of the 20th Century
• C. 19th Century
• D. 21st Century

Answer: (B)

Calo developed as a distinct argot among Mexican Spanish speakers in the Southwestern United States during the first half of the 20th century. As large numbers of Mexican immigrants settled in border and urban areas, communities mixed Spanish with English and created new terms to talk privately around outsiders and authorities. This period—from roughly the 1910s through the 1940s—brought social change, street and youth cultures, and increased bilingual influence, which helped codify slang into a recognizable form used in daily life and in contexts involving law enforcement. That historical timing makes the first half of the 20th century the best fit for its origin.