pilon

[ pee-lohn ]

noun

, Southwestern U.S. (chiefly Texas).

1. something extra; lagniappe.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilon¹

1880–85; Americanism; < Mexican Spanish pilón literally, trough, mortar, Spanish: derivative of pila basin, trough < Latin pīla mortar

Example Sentences

Evelyn Pilón, 20, came from Chiconcuac, a town on the outskirts of Mexico City famous for its knit goods and artisanry.

From Seattle Times

“We walked all night without stopping until now,” said Pilón, who is praying for the health of her baby son.

From Seattle Times

‘The Longest Race’ by Kara Goucher In this memoir, co-written with sports writer Mary Pilon, the Olympic distance runner Kara Goucher recounts the journey from her childhood in Duluth, Minn., to running at the University of Colorado to the Nike Oregon Project, where she trained as a professional under coach Alberto Salazar.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Pilon had never previously been convicted of a crime, but in 2020, during a “perfect storm” of physical pain, social isolation and untreated mental health problems, he became consumed by news of the civil unrest, and lashed out with racist and intimidating conduct, Mr. Wolf said in the memorandum.

From New York Times

Mr. Pilon’s lawyer, Barry A. Wolf, could not be immediately reached on Wednesday evening for comment, but in a sentencing memorandum earlier this month, he told the court that Mr. Pilon was “deeply remorseful and embarrassed by his actions.”

From New York Times

More About Pilon

What does pilon mean?

Pilon is an informal regional term that means a little something extra—a bonus. It’s primarily used in Texas and some parts of the Southwestern U.S.

Pilon typically refers to something additional given to a customer for free when they’re making a purchase. This is often done as a nice gesture on the part of the seller, kind of like when you get 13 items for the prize of 12 in a “baker’s dozen.”

The regional term lagniappe is used to mean about the same thing in Southern Louisiana and Southeast Texas.

Example: The fruit vendor at the farmer’s market said he’d throw in a carton of strawberries as a pilon since I’m such a loyal customer.

Where does pilon come from?

The first records of the word pilon in English come from the 1880s. It comes from the Mexican Spanish word pilón, which is literally translated as “trough” or “mortar,” from the Spanish pila, “basin.” It’s not entirely clear how the word came to refer to a bonus or extra item.

The word is sometimes spelled pilón in English (with the accent mark over the o).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to pilon?

• pilón (alternate spelling, reflecting its origin in Spanish)

What are some synonyms for pilon?

• bonus
• lagniappe

What are some words that often get used in discussing pilon?

 

• extra
• buy
• purchase
• item
• free

How is pilon used in real life?

Pilon is very rarely used outside of Texas and other parts of the Southwest, and even in those regions it’s not all that commonly used.

Slate Presents Lexicon Valley: LinguaFile II – I know a lagniappe as a pilón. #SanAntonio http://t.co/K0CYnpPIoa

— This Guy (@ze_martino) September 11, 2014

This is a Piloń… Basically an Extra or a "bonus" so not my present 🎁 but an extra lol

My… https://t.co/3hIceKHKDj

— Rene Valdez (@rvaldez1708) July 15, 2016

I count myself fortunate to have at the #coyota epicenter of the universe: Coyotas "Doña Coyo" of Villa de Seris in #Hermosillo, where they still give you a "pilón" – similar to a baker's dozen – the extra one thrown in w/ the purchase of a package or two fresh from the oven. pic.twitter.com/FQ5BHVsBO7

— Alex La Pierre (@AlexLaPierre8) November 1, 2020

 

Try using pilon!

Which of the following things could be considered a pilon?

A. a free piece of candy included with a purchase
B. a 13th doughnut included for the price of 12
C. Extra firewood included with an order at no extra cost
D. all of the above