Órale is a common interjection in Mexican Spanish slang. ^[1] It is also commonly used in the United States as an exclamation expressing approval or encouragement. The term has varying connotations, including an affirmation that something is impressive, an agreement with a statement (akin to "okay"), or to signify distress. The word's origin is from the verb orar (to pray), with the added suffix “-le”, which is a grammatical expletive – a word part that occupies a position without adding to the sense, ^[2] e.g. “ándale” and “épale”.

In media and pop culture

• As a greeting, the word is used by Cheech Marin in his 1987 film Born in East L.A. in the phrase "Órale vato, ¡wassápenin!", meaning "All right, man! What's happening?", a popular phrase used by Mexican Americans who have taken the gitano word vato^{[ citation needed]} from northern Mexico slang to mean " man".
• Used as a slang term by Edward James Olmos in the 1988 American drama film, Stand and Deliver.
• The phrase was popularized in professional wrestling (as a de facto catch-phrase) by Konnan and later Eddie Guerrero.
• Óoorale! is the name of a popular Mexican gossip magazine, known for its pornographic content and forged photographs. ^[3]
• Beck's 1996 album Odelay uses a phonetic English rendering of "órale" as its title.
• Stand-up comedian Gabriel Iglesias uses the term frequently, referring to his Mexican heritage.
• The term is used often in the 1992 film American Me.
• The term is used in the 1993 film Blood In Blood Out.
• The term is used in the 1998 video game Grim Fandango.
• The term is used in the 2013 video game Guacamelee!.
• Órale is the name of the Grammy-nominated 7th album by Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea.
• In George Lopez's eponymous ABC sitcom which originally aired from 2002 to 2007, his titular character shouts "Órale!" in many situations.
• In the FX original series Sons of Anarchy, "órale" is frequently said by the Byz Lats during conversation.
• In the AMC original series Breaking Bad, "órale" is frequently said by Tuco Salamanca.
• In the FX series Snowfall, the term “órale” is used repeatedly by Mexican drug trafficker Gustavo Zapata.
• In the Netflix series Queen of the South, the term “órale” is frequently used by Pote Galvez, a Mexican cartel soldier and trusted friend of Teresa Mendoza.
• In the 2022 video game Modern Warfare II, Alejandro Vargas, the leader of a group with the Fuerzas Especiales (Mexican Special Forces) uses the term "órale" often when talking to and commanding his team.
• Title of a song by El Vez, the Mexican Elvis

References