goodfella
Organized crime insider
A goodfella is a member of an organized crime family, particularly the Italian-American Mafia.
The term suggests loyalty and standing within the criminal organization—someone who has proven themselves trustworthy to the group.
Popularized by the 1990 Scorsese film *Goodfellas*, the word carries a mix of menace and insider camaraderie: He's a goodfella from the old neighborhood.
Sicilian criminal organization
- omertàCriminal vow of silence
- familyRelated people together
- syndicateCombined group pursuing shared interest
- outfitSet of clothes worn together
crew · underboss · consigliere · don · boss · commission · sit-down · tribute
Kinship among men
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- oathFormal binding promise
bond · solidarity · comradeship · code · respect · trust · family ties · blood
Sarcastic quipster or mobster
- made manInitiated organized crime member
- gangsterCriminal organization member
- mafiosoOrganized crime syndicate member
- capoString-shortening clamp device
hitman · enforcer · hoodlum · thug · outlaw · felon · associate · button man
Conducting illegal business schemes
- extortionObtaining through threats
- shakedownForceful extraction of payment
- protection racketExtortion through intimidation
- bootleggingIllegal alcohol production/sale
hijacking · heist · money laundering · gambling · numbers · bookmaking · smuggling · fencing
Cosa Nostra
Sicilian criminal organization
- omertàCriminal vow of silence
- familyRelated people together
- syndicateCombined group pursuing shared interest
outfit · crew · underboss · consigliere · don · boss · commission · sit-down · tribute · initiation
brotherhood
Kinship among men
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
oath · bond · solidarity · comradeship · code · respect · trust · family ties · blood · stand-up guy
wiseguy
Sarcastic quipster or mobster
- made manInitiated organized crime member
- gangsterCriminal organization member
- mafiosoOrganized crime syndicate member
capo · hitman · enforcer · hoodlum · thug · outlaw · felon · associate · button man · triggerman
racketeering
Conducting illegal business schemes
- extortionObtaining through threats
- shakedownForceful extraction of payment
- protection racketExtortion through intimidation
bootlegging · hijacking · heist · money laundering · gambling · numbers · bookmaking · smuggling · fencing · kickback
- organized crimemafia, mob, the mob, syndicate, crime syndicate
goodfellacivilian
Non-military person
square · outsider · straight arrow · citizen · straight
goodfellasaint
Canonized holy person
pillar of the community · straight arrow · straight shooter · do-gooder · choirboy
goodfellacop
Law enforcement slang
fed · G-man · FBI agent · police officer · prosecutor
well, good, goods, goodness, goodbye, goodwill, fella, fellowship, goodie