Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(orig. US) a cod Sp. pfx used to decry a given n./adj.; usu. the object is also ‘Spanished’ with an -o sfx, e.g. el cheapo adj.; el dorko n.; also as a derog. personal ref.

1929		M. Levin Reporter 16: He would be furiously disgusted. El furioso.
1938		J. Mitchell My Ears Are Bent (2001) 234: Neon signs begin to flicker and El Clippo is born.
1952		W. Winchell On Broadway 14 Aug. [synd. col.] El Punko had harbored the fugitives following their escape.
1973		L. Shecter On the Pad 311: They were visiting the prostitutes and having a little party, el cuffo. Smith was a good tipper, but not with money.
1978		P. Hamill Dirty Laundry 58: Then I saw the face. El putzo from 57th Street.
1979		S. King Dead Zone (1980) 350: The Bucket—that el scuzzo tavern downtown.
1982		S. King Different Seasons (1995) 453: Charlie beat up the foureyes el punko a bit.
1983		S. King Christine 59: I flipped Ralph the old El Birdo.
1990		S. Morgan Homeboy 253: El Bummero! You’re like a father to me.
1991		R.G. Barrett Between the Devlin 59: [S]he couldn’t have got a run in an el-cheapo vampire movie.
1996		Penguin Bk of More Aus. Jokes 259: We do not refer to Judas as El Finko.
2000		C. Hiaasen Sick Puppy 277: See, the dots are smooth to the touch. That means they’re el fake-o.
2000		R.G. Barrett Leaving Bondi (2013) [ebook] Hey I’ve heard of this joint, thought Les. [...] It’s supposed to be el schmicko.
2005		J. Stahl I, Fatty 139: Big laugh for El Fattopotamus.
2011		G. Hayward Corruption Officer [ebk] cap. 54: Let me school you, El Stupido.
2012		(con. 1980s) I. Welsh Skagboys 497: El Sickerino’s goat that slightly sheepish look.
2018		I. Welsh Dead Man’s Trousers 47: He makes a drinking gesture — El peevo?