Ñoño
In Mexico a nerd, the swot of the class — teasing rather than cruel. Elsewhere it can mean fussy or insipid.
Related lesson: Mexican Spanish — A Survival Guide.
Hear it in context
Mi primo es un ñoño, siempre saca diez.
My cousin's a nerd, he always gets top marks.
No seas ñoño y ven a la fiesta.
Don't be such a square, come to the party.
Se puso muy ñoña con su novio.
She got all soppy with her boyfriend.
What It Actually Means
Ñoño (feminine ñoña) is a nerd in Mexican speech: the one who studies, reads and gets top marks. Said by friends it is teasing, though it can be meant as an insult.
Where It Comes From
The word is old in Spanish and has long meant fussy, insipid or sentimental. The “studious kid” sense is the Mexican one.
Common Pitfall
The meaning changes with the country. In Spain ñoño is more likely to describe something soppy or tiresomely prim. If a Mexican calls you ñoño, take it as a joke about your studying; elsewhere, check the context before you take offence.