Roto

Roto, f. rota, (literally "broken") is a term used to refer to Chilean people and in particular to the common Chilean. In Chile from the start of the 20th century it was applied with a negative classist connotation to poor city-dwellers. It is also used contemptuously in other Spanish-speaking countries, especially Peru and Bolivia, to refer to Chileans. Otherwise, despite its defects, the roto is also considered a figure of national identity and pride in Chile.

The historical origin of the use of the term could be, as much in Chile as in Peru and Bolivia, in the war fought by Chile against the Peru-Bolivian Confederation. Chilean troops defeated the confederation at the Battle of Yungay on 20 January 1839. As most of the soldiers of the victorious Chilean army were poor recruits, the defeated troops called them rotos. In Chile tributes were paid to the victors of Yungay and, in a gesture of recognition, 20 January was declared the Día del Roto Chileno (in Spanish; Day of the Chilean Roto).