Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
CHOPO
English translation:
wad of something or a thing
Spanish term
Efficiency and effectiveness!!!
Native in: English 
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English, English
CHOPO
The statement is
MIS PATRONES VENíAN Y ME DABAN LOS CHOPOS ASí. IBAN A MI CASA Y ME DABAN EL DINERO. EFECTIVO.
This was said in an interview when he was asked how he got paid. He is talking about how he got paid for his "work". I hope this is enough context because this is all that I have. The gentleman who said this is Puerto Rican who has been living in Texas for the past 10 years. The interviewers are Mexican American who grew up in Texas. This interview is taking place in Texas.
It sounds like what he is saying is that it means like in a BUNCH OR A BALL OR DENSE. That they would pay him and the money they handed to him would be in bunches or a WAD OF CASH.
This is how I have heard CHOPO used.
Has anyone else ever heard CHOPO used this way?
Is it because POPLAR wood(which is the literal definition of CHOPO) is a hardwood?
Any help with this would be most appreciated!
Jan 25, 2023 16:02: Jennifer Levey changed "Level" from "Non-PRO" to "PRO"
PRO (3): Toni Castano, patinba, Jennifer Levey
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Proposed translations
thing
chopo
s m (NE) (Popular) En Tamaulipas, gran cantidad de cosas
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Note added at 1 hr (2023-01-25 14:45:26 GMT)
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chopo | Diccionario del español de Méxicohttps://dem.colmex.mx › ver › chopo
chopo1 s m (Populus nigra) Árbol de la familia de las salicáceas de aspecto alto y delgado cuyas hojas, de color verde oscuro con el envés blanquecino, ...
chopo
s m (NE) (Popular) En Tamaulipas, gran cantidad de cosas
so yes, "the wads" (of banknotes) would seem to fit.
| ¿gran cantidad de cosas? meaning it is in a "bunch" or a "large amount", right? like a ball or a load or wad... |
| Where did you find that definition? Tony mentioned something about a revolver or firearm but I don't think that is what he was referring to. I mean, do people get paid for work with guns? In this case, he talks about money so I am thinking that it is a wad or a load. I think you are right patinba. Thank you for this. Like I said, I was raised in the Tamaulipas area and "CHOPO" was always like a wad or ball or some kind of mass. |
Discussion
It takes 3 votes to change it either way.
If it is PRO I hope the moderators see that and change it. I don't know if I can.
The only thing I am clear about in this KudoZ is that your query is truly PRO.
Good luck!