Mafia Words: Slang and terminology of the mafia

Introduction to the words and slang used by the Mafia. This is a reference of mafia sayings and a glossary of some common gangster terminology.

Mafia Glossary
21. Desember 2024 by Clickinsider / Affiliate marketing

bagman guy collecting/distributing illicitly gained cash.

books family membership (books are open). not in = books are closed.

capo member crew leader (caporegime, capodecina, captain). Capo dei capi = top boss, while don is the head of the family. Underboss is the second boss. The crew is a group of soldiers, while cugine is a young soldier in the making. Soldiers are bottom members of the crew.

godfella mafia member

whack means to kill, hit, clip, pop, burn, ice.

consigliere family adviser.

heavy carrying weapon(s).

juice interest paid to loan shark, while tax is to take a portion of earnings from someone.

kick up sharing income with the boss above in the chain.

omertà a vow of silence, punished by death if not upheld.

Mafia sayings, mafia slang

  • Forget about it rarely means forget about it (but sometimes does).
  • Waste management never means the waste management business, means organized crime.

Lists of Mafia dictionaries / glossary

Mafia Movies

Familiarize yourself with mafia speak by watching mafia movies. These are some of the top mafia movies of all times.

  1. The Godfather (1972), The Godfather: Part II (1974), The Godfather Part III (1990)
  2. Goodfellas (1990)
  3. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
  4. Casino (1995)
  5. The Irishman (2019)
  6. Scarface (1983)
  7. A Bronx Tale (1993)
  8. Chinatown (1974)
  9. On the Waterfront (1954)
  10. Heat (1995)
  11. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
  12. The Roaring Twenties (1939)
  13. The Public Enemy (1931)
  14. Donnie Brasco (1997)
  15. American Gangster (2007)
  16. Miller's Crossing (1990)
  17. Pulp Fiction (1994)
  18. The Departed (2006)
  19. Mean Streets (1973)
  20. Eastern Promises (2007)
  21. A History of Violence (2005)
  22. Infernal Affairs (2002)
  23. The Untouchables (1987)
  24. A Prophet (2009)
  25. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
  26. Elite Squad (2007) Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within (2010)
  27. The French Connection (1971)
  28. 25th Hour (2002)
  29. Mystic River (2003)
  30. Léon: The Professional (1994)
  31. Snatch (2000)
  32. La Haine (1995)
  33. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
  34. Carlito's Way (1993)
  35. No Country for Old Men (2007)
  36. Gran Torino (2008)
  37. Training Day (2001)
  38. American Me (1992)
  39. Hard Boiled (1992)
  40. Gangs of New York (2002)
  41. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
  42. American Hustle (2013)
  43. Road to Perdition (2002)
  44. Oldboy (2003)