Why do people say queso instead of cheese?

[Xerxes]

Hey everyone, noticed that many refer to cheese as 'queso,' especially when talking about the melted kind often served with chips. Is this just because 'queso' specifically points to that warm, creamy cheese dip popular in Tex-Mex cuisine, or is there more to this naming preference? Let's discuss the lingo!

 

[maltchaseal]

Queso is totally Spanish for cheese, but here in the US it's like the official word for that melty Tex-Mex dip, you know, the good stuff for chips? Maybe it's just shorter, easier to say for all that cheesy goodness. Regular cheese works too, of course!

P.S: queso fresco is actually like, real fresh cheese, not melty at all