Guido (slang)

"Guido" (Gino in Canada) is a pejorative slang term for a young, lower class or working class, Italian-American or Italian-Canadian male from the urban Northeastern United States or urban Central Canada, most often New York and the surrounding area due to the large number of Italian-Americans living in the area. The Guido stereotype is often portrayed as humorously thuggish and overtly macho attitude and an unyielding pride in his Italian ancestry.

In a wider sense (and not directly connected to the above term anymore) is the use of 'Guido' as a bouncer slang term for an obnoxious club-going male, especially of 'low class'." [http://www.bostonnightclubnews.com/NightclubBouncersStories/index.html Nightclub Bouncers Tell All - Tales from behind the velvet rope] " - "The Boston Phoenix", via the 'BostonNightclubNews.com' website. Accessed 2008-02-02.]

Etymology

The term is likely derived from the proper name Guido, and is used and recognized particularly around New York City, (especially Staten Island, Brooklyn, New Jersey, The Bronx, Queens, Long Island, Westchester County, Baltimore, South Philadelphia, Boston, and various other cities due to the large Italian-American populations within these regions.

The stereotype is usually considered derogatory or an ethnic slur; however, it is, in many cases, used as a term for an Italian criminal in the Mafia in areas where Guido culture is common, much like the term "." In fact, "goombah" and "Guido" have often been interchangeable. However, in recent years, the term "Guido" has been applied to a certain clothing style rather than just a person of Italian ancestry. Due to the emergence of this term, some people have been referred to as "Guido" despite the fact that they have no Italian ancestry.

Clothing associated with the stereotype includes gold chains, working class clothing such as plain T-shirts, muscle shirts or "guinea ts" (derived from the term "guinea," an ethnic slur for Italians), leather jackets, sweat or tracksuits, scally caps, unbuttoned dress shirts, and dress suits. Slicked-back hair or pompadours are a common stereotype, as are mustaches. Recently, heavily-gelled spiked hair has become a common stereotype. The hairstyle is commonly referred to as the Brooklyn Fade, or "Brook" for short. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13708-2003Jul5.html]

ee also

*
* Wog
* Wop
* Cholo
*

References

*Copeland, Libby. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13708-2003Jul5.html "Strutting Season"] , "Washington Post", July 6, 2003. Accessed March 23, 2008.