noun, plural pai·sa·nos [pahy-sah-nohz, -zah-; Spanish pahy-sah-naws]. a person who shares one's place of origin; compatriot. Informal.

What does a Paisano mean?

1 Southwest. a : rustic, peasant. b : compatriot. c : native especially : a native of the state of California of mixed Spanish and American Indian ancestry.

Is Paisano an insult?

Short for paisano ("countryman"), this is actually a widespread slur, but has a distinct definition in our prison system, referring to inmates born in Mexico to differentiate them from the Mexican cons born in the United States ("raza").