Expressions such as "asalto," "trulla" and "parranda" form part of a Christmas vocabulary that distinguishes Puerto Rico’s holiday traditions, Sheila Torres of Dialecto Boricua explained. Puerto Rico has several elements that make its Christmas a celebration unique and different from that of other countries, among them the dialect, which during this season incorporates words and expressions particular to Puerto Rican festivities.
Torres said one of the most common examples is "asalto," a word used in the Puerto Rican Christmas to describe a party or surprise visit among friends. Another term is "trulla," which can refer both to the parranda and to the group of people who carry it out. As for the word "parranda," Torres says its origin could date back to the Canary Islands, as with many other expressions in the Puerto Rican dialect.
According to the explanation Torres shared, one theory points to the union of "parra," related to wine, and "anda," from the verb to walk, alluding to the custom of drinking while walking during celebrations. Musical instruments also reflect that cultural mixture, since many of their names have Indigenous roots. Between words, music and customs, the Christmas vocabulary becomes another example of the cultural identity that distinguishes Puerto Rican holidays.