charro

(Sp. model spelled same [t∫áro ]'coarse, crude, rustic, or in bad taste'; probably from Basque txar 'bad, defective' or from a related Iberian term)

   1) Clark: 1890s. A Mexican horseman or cowboy, particularly one in the traditional costume consisting of a large sombrero decorated with gold or silver embroidery; a loose-fitting white shirt; a short, tight-fitting jacket; and tight-fitting, flared pants that are also decorated with embroidery, buttons, and braids. Carlisle notes that chario is an alternate spelling in the Southwest.

   2) The costume worn by the cowboy described in (1).

   3) Clark: 1930s. A coarse, mean person; a churl.

   4) More recently, a Mexican cowboy who competes in the Mexican rodeo circuit that is popular in southern California. According to the DRAE, charro originally referred to a resident of Salamanca, Spain, especially the region surrounding Alba, Vitigudino, Ciudad Rodrigo, and Ledesma, and to things of or pertaining to this region, such as the charro dress and manner of speaking. It is also an adjective used to describe a thing that is in poor taste or something decorated with bright, clashing colors. In Mexico, a charro is a horseman who dresses in a special costume as described above. Santamaría defines charro as an expert rider who is skilled in taming horses and other animals. Islas concurs, adding that charros are skilled in using rodeo-style rope-throws. He also notes that although the term charro and the clothing and customs pertaining to the charro originated in Salamanca, Spain, they have evolved considerably in the New World, and the charro has become a representative figure for the Mexican people. This term had reference to upper-class horsemen and hacendados (owners of the large Spanish land-grant haciendas) and contrasted with the term vaquero, which indicated much humbler origins.