goombah

Meaning

Noun

• A person of Italian descent (often implies the person is connected to Italian organized crime)
• 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.
• Alternative of gumbe, a Jamaican drum.

Origin

• , 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. compadre.