Pendejo - Definition

Pendejo is a vulgar Spanish-language term of abuse. To call a person a pendejo is essentially to call him stupid, although it also carries implications of willful stubbornness and rank ineptitude. The female equivalent is pendeja; either form can be used as a noun or an adjective. The insult is particularly prevalent in the Spanish spoke in North and Central America, where it is considered moderately to highly offensive. In terms of equivalent cultural impact, it ranges somewhere at the level of the British English "wanker" or the U.S. English "asshole".

The literal meaning of pendejo is "a strand of pubic hair". Etymologically it comes from the Latin pectiniculus.

In February 2004, reacting to the ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti (in which U.S. involvement was suspected), Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez used the word in reference to U.S. President George W. Bush.