Goombah definition

English Dictionary.

Goombah [1] is a pejorative slang term for people of Italian descent, mainly in the United States, with several related connotations to the Mafia either the Italian-American Mafia , the original Sicilian Mafia , or other Italian organized crime groups or gangs of Italian or Italian-American origin. It has, however, also gained a less innocuous meaning even in Italy in certain criminal contexts, signifying an "accomplice," "cohort," "fellow criminal," or "partner-in-crime," though it is still mostly used among non-criminal Southern Italian males as a harmless address of affection. Today, especially in Italian-American slang, "goombah" is a slang noun for a companion or associate, especially a friend who acts as a patron, accomplice, protector, or adviser. When used by non-Italians to refer to Italians or Italian-Americans, however, "goombah" is often derogatory in nature or deployed as an ethnic slur, implying a stereotypical Italian-American male, thug, or mafioso. Derogatory use of the term is portrayed the publication of Mario Puzo 's The Godfather and the highly popular movie made from it, which contained dialogue such as "I don't care how many guinea Mafia goombahs come out of the woodwork" or, in the film, "I don't care how many dago guinea wop greaseball goombahs come outta the woodwork". In , U. Senator Mark Kirk used the term in reference to what he regarded as unqualified political hires at a veterans' nursing home: " Blagojevich 's people ordered [ Tammy Duckworth ] to take on some political operatives and I would call them goombahs in the Anna Nursing home facility that she was in charge of", drawing bemused commentary for his " Sopranos throwback moment".

Goombah definition

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'goombah. Send us feedback about these examples. Accessed 3 Mar. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! See Definitions and Examples ». Cite this Entry Citation Share. Log In. Examples of goombah in a Sentence. Word History. First Known Use. Time Traveler.

We used goombah as a term of friendship, inclusion, and affection.

Help support Wordnik and make this page ad-free by adopting the word goombah. That is entirely unlikely if not impossible for a organization that is ripe with gross corruption and lack of moral and ethical principles. RNC resolution won't 'handcuff' Steele, co-sponsor says I didn't use ' goombah ' as a slur: Few people have more connections to Italy or Even better, is it now OK to call Giuliani "compare" Italian for ' goombah '? A goombah from the old days plays host and takes the two to dinner whereupon Paulie starts reliving the past, talking up the war stories about bustin' heads, and busty blondes. Teri Pastore

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'goombah. Send us feedback about these examples. Accessed 3 Mar. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! See Definitions and Examples ». Cite this Entry Citation Share. Log In. Examples of goombah in a Sentence.

Goombah definition

Goomah vs. Goombah — What's the Difference? Goomah A mistress.

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At About. Grammar English Easy Learning Grammar. Need Support? See Definitions and Examples ». Read more. The Words of the Week - Mar. RSS feed for comments on this post. Accessed 3 Mar. Random House, Inc. A lot. Korean to English. Etymology: Probably alteration of Italian compare , godfather, from Medieval Latin compater. Spanish to English.

There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun goombah. OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

Hindi to English. The Words of the Week - Mar. Look up goombah in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. RNC resolution won't 'handcuff' Steele, co-sponsor says The term was always used with a slap on the back, a warm hand shake and a hug. Video Build your vocabulary. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. French English to French. Clip: Snookie gets punched and MTV doesn't want you to see it admin Your editor grew up among people who called close, longtime family friends goombahs — the kind of people you would want to be the godparent at the Baptism, or sponsor at the Confirmation, of your child. Thanks for the mention….