goombah

== English == === Etymology 1 === From Neapolitan cumpà and Sicilian cumpari (“buddy, pal”, akin to Italian compare, Spanish compadre, from Latin compater, literally “godfather”), 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. To an English-speaking ear, the unaspirated stops of Southern Italian dialects (especially Neapolitan) are interpreted as voiced stops, yielding goombah. Compare South American Spanish cumpa. Doublet of compadre, compeer, and compere. ==== Alternative forms ==== goomba, gumba, gumbah ==== Pronunciation ==== (US) IPA(key): /ˈɡumbɑ/ (UK) IPA(key): /ɡuːmˈbɑː/ Rhymes: -ɑː Hyphenation: goom‧bah ==== Noun ==== goombah (plural goombahs) (US, slang, derogatory, ethnic slur) A person of Italian descent (often implies the person is connected to Italian organized crime) Synonyms: dago, Eyetie, greaseball, guido, guinea, wog, wop (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. ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === ==== Noun ==== goombah (plural goombahs) Alternative form of gumbe, a Jamaican drum.