Definition of the word kayo

The origin of the word "kayo" can be traced back to the ancient Filipino language named Tagalog. "Kayo" is a Tagalog word that means "this" or "these" when referring to a group of people. However, in the context of boxing, the term "kayo" is used differently. In boxing, "kayo" is derived from the Tagalog word "kuto," which means "to kill" or "to knock out." It was borrowed by the Filipino sport of Puksaw (now commonly known as boxing), which was introduced by the American Army during the Spanish-American War in the late 1800s. Puksaw was originally called "pugayon," which was a Spanish word meaning "fist-carrying." The Filipino fighters in Puksaw began to incorporate their own language and terminology into the sport, including the term "kayo." Initially, the term "kayo" was used to describe a knockout, but it eventually became more commonly used as a command during a fight. When a fighter is losing, his opponent may yell "kayo" to prompt their team's fighter to deliver the knockout blow and end the match. Today, the term "kayo" is still commonly used in the Philippines, particularly in Filipino martial arts and boxing, and it has become a proud part of the country's sports culture.