The Spanish word 'dedazo' combines two elements: 'dedo' (meaning 'finger') and the augmentative suffix '-azo'. The base word 'dedo' comes from Latin 'digitus', which also meant 'finger'. The suffix '-azo' in Spanish typically indicates a blow or forceful action done with the object mentioned in the root word. Thus, 'dedazo' literally means a 'finger blow' or a pointing gesture, but it has taken on a specific cultural meaning in Spanish, often referring to an arbitrary appointment or selection made by someone in power (metaphorically pointing their finger to choose someone).

The most obvious related Spanish word is the simpler and more common 'dedo' meaning 'finger'. This is the base word from which 'dedazo' is formed. Other related words include 'dedal' (thimble), 'dedico' (I dedicate), and 'digital' (digital). All these words share the same Latin root 'digitus' and maintain some connection to the concept of fingers, either literally or metaphorically.

English speakers might recognize the connection to several common English words that come from the same Latin root 'digitus', such as 'digit' (which can mean both a number and a finger/toe), 'digital' (originally relating to fingers, now commonly referring to computer technology), and 'digitate' (having finger-like projections). The evolution from physical fingers to numbers occurred because people originally used their fingers for counting.