Spanish

Adjective

descamisado m ‎(feminine singular decamisada, masculine plural descamisados, feminine plural decamisadas)

1. shirtless

Noun

descamisado m ‎(plural descamisados, feminine decamisada)

1. A shirtless man

Etymology 2

Demonstrators await Perón's release from prison

The term may have its origins on October 17, 1945, when thousands of supporters of Juan Perón gathered in front of the Casa Rosada to demand Perón's release from prison. While waiting for Perón on this hot day, many men in the crowd removed their shirts (hence "descamisado") and the image became iconic.

Adjective

descamisado m ‎(feminine singular descamisada, masculine plural descamisados, feminine plural descamisadas)

1. (pejorative) Peronist, usually of the working class
2. (affectionate) Peronist, usually of the working class

Noun

descamisado m ‎(plural descamisados, feminine descamisada)

1. (pejorative) A Peronist man, usually of the working class
2. (affectionate) A Peronist man, usually of the working class

Usage notes

The use of this word was initially solely pejorative, used by anti-Peronists, but it was later co-opted by the Peronists, and used as a term of pride by Juan and Eva Perón and their supporters.