/ˈpeɪsoʊ/ • PAY-soh
PESO is the basic monetary unit of several Latin American countries and the Philippines. In word games, it's a valuable 4-letter word that combines the high-scoring P (3 points) with common vowels, making it both playable and strategic.
6
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
PESO has specific meanings in economics and linguistics:
1. Currency (Primary Meaning)
The basic monetary unit in several countries including Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and the Philippines. The peso is subdivided into 100 centavos or centésimos, depending on the country. Each nation's peso has different values and is denoted by specific currency codes (MXN for Mexican peso, COP for Colombian peso, etc.).
2. Historical Weight Measure
Originally, "peso" meant "weight" in Spanish and referred to a weight of silver. The peso de ocho (piece of eight) was a Spanish silver coin that became the world's first global currency in the 16th-19th centuries.
3. Colloquial Usage
In some Spanish-speaking regions, "peso" can colloquially mean "weight" or "burden" in everyday speech, though this usage is less common in English.
The word PESO has a rich history tied to global trade and colonialism:
Spanish Origin: From Spanish "peso," literally meaning "weight," from Latin "pensum" (something weighed), past participle of "pendere" (to weigh).
16th Century: The term originally referred to the peso de ocho reales (piece of eight), a silver coin minted by the Spanish Empire that became the first world currency.
Global Influence: The Spanish peso influenced many currencies worldwide. The US dollar sign ($) is believed to derive from the peso's abbreviation "PS" or from the pillars and ribbons on the peso de ocho.
Modern Usage: Today, "peso" remains the name of currencies in former Spanish colonies, each with its own unique history and value.
The peso de ocho was the first global currency, accepted worldwide from the Americas to Asia. It facilitated international trade for over 300 years and influenced the development of many modern currencies, including the US dollar and Chinese yuan.
Today's various peso currencies reflect the economic diversity of Latin America and the Philippines. Exchange rates fluctuate based on each country's economic conditions, making the peso a key indicator of regional economic health.
The peso represents more than currency; it's a symbol of national identity and independence for many countries. The designs on peso bills and coins often feature national heroes, landmarks, and cultural symbols.
•The dollar sign ($) likely originated from the Spanish peso. The symbol evolved from "PS" or from the pillars and ribbons on Spanish coins.
•The peso de ocho (piece of eight) was so widely used that it was legal tender in the United States until 1857.
•Pirates' legendary "pieces of eight" refers to the Spanish peso, which could be physically cut into eight pieces (bits) to make change.
•The Philippine peso features text in both Filipino and English, reflecting the country's bilingual heritage.
•In Scrabble, PESO is worth 6 points base value, with the P contributing half of the total points.
"The Mexican peso strengthened against the dollar today."
"She exchanged her dollars for pesos at the airport."
"The hotel room costs 2,500 pesos per night."
"I played PESO with the P on a triple letter score for 11 points."
"PESO was perfect for using my high-value P tile effectively."
"Adding S to PESO gave me PESOS and opened the board nicely."
Similar length and difficulty words
Total base points: 6 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 (E, O) | Consonants: 2 (P, S)
Value concentration: 50% from P tile
P Placement: Always prioritize placing the P on a double or triple letter score. This single placement decision can double your word's value.
Anagram Awareness: PESO can be rearranged to EPOS, OPES, and POSE. Check which arrangement best fits your board position.
S Management: The S in PESO is valuable. Consider whether playing PESO is worth using the S, or if you should save it for a higher-scoring pluralization.
Parallel Potential: PESO works well for parallel plays with common two-letter words: PE, ES, SO.
Never place PESO where the P lands on a regular square. With P worth 3 points, proper placement is crucial.
The S is one of the most valuable tiles for making plurals. Don't use it in PESO unless the play scores significantly.
EPOS, OPES, and POSE are all valid. Always check which arrangement works best with existing tiles.
Be careful not to open triple word scores for opponents, especially with the common E and O.
Understanding PESO's value comes from smart P placement and recognizing its anagram potential. Make every peso count in your word game strategy!