In the Spanish culture many people have nicknames (apodos or sobrenombres). It is interesting to note that in the Costa Rican underworld (el bajo mundo or el hampa) criminals are given funny nicknames.

Here are some of them that I gleaned from the local newspapers.

Bin Laden – This guy must be a real gem to be nicknamed after a terrorist.
Carichancleta – Literally this means “sandal face.” The guy is probably ugly as hell.
Cementerio – This word means cemetery but in this case is the name of a criminal who always has a moribund look on his face.
Chucky – This guy is a young criminal who committed scores of petty crimes. The name comes from the despicable doll-like character who started in a series of horror films called “Child’s Play.”
Cuatro ojos – Means four eyes because the guy wears glasses
El Gato Felix – Felix the Cat. He is a famous Costa Rican criminal who has been incarcerate on numerous occasions.
Maradona – named after one of Argentina’s most famous soccer players
Oso – means a bear. I guess the guy has a lot of body hair like a bear.
Patas de yuca – This colorful character got his name because of his white feet. The inside of this tuber (yucca) is white.
Pelón – means bald like a billiard ball. Obviously the guy has very little hair.
Plumero – A plumero is a feather duster. The dude got this name because of his disheveled hair.
Renco – A renco is a person who limps or a horse that is lame. This guy must have a limp.
Socrates – no relation to the Greek Athenian philosopher.
Tejón – means badger. I guess the guy resembles a badger.
Tres pelos – He was a criminal who was supposedly involved in the slaughter of some innocent victims in the mid-1980s.
Vampiro – vampire. The guy has fang-like eye teeth.
Viejito – Literally term means an old man. In this case it refers to a young criminal who looks well beyond his years.
Zapatito – means little shoe. This character has little feet in proportion to the rest of his body.