goombah
A person of Italian descentA person of Italian descent (often implies the person is connected to Italian organized crime)
Meaning
2 senses(US, derogatory, ethnic, slang, slur)A person of Italian descent (often implies the person is connected to Italian organized crime)
(US, slang)A companion, pal, close friend, or associate, especially among Italian-American men. It sometimes has the connotation of an older friend who acts as a patron, protector or adviser.
Origin
From Neapolitan cumpà and Sicilian cumpari (“buddy, pal”, akin to Italian compare, SpanishFrom Neapolitan cumpà and Sicilian cumpari (“buddy, pal”, akin to Italian compare, Spanish compadre, literally “godfather”), from Latin compater, a word often used to refer to “family friends” or friends close enough to be considered an “aunt” or “uncle”, though not related by blood.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source