goombah

American  

[goom-bah] / ˈgum bɑ /

noun

Slang.

1. a companion or associate, especially an older person who mentors or advises; a godfather.

2. a member of a criminal organization.

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Usage

What does goombah mean? Among Italian-Americans, a goombah is a slang term for a “close friend.” When directed at Italian-Americans, a goombah can be an ethnic slur or a gangster stereotype.A goombah also refers to a mushroom-shaped enemy in the Super Mario franchise.

Etymology

Origin of goombah

First recorded in 1965–70; perhaps from Neapolitan dialect cumbà, cumpà, gumbà “friend,” the form used in direct address of the noun cumbàr, cumpàr, gumbàr “respected older man,” formerly “godfather,” from Italian compàre “godfather, friend, accomplice,” from Medieval Latin compater “godfather”

Example Sentences

You'll note that he's not feeling fond toward Cohen, his former goombah, whom Trump clearly sees as having stabbed him the back.

From Salon • Aug. 24, 2018

Even the highly successful "True Blood," with its steadily ascending viewership across four seasons and sturdy DVD sales, has somehow been regarded as kid stuff alongside the epochal, 330-pound goombah that was "The Sopranos."

From Reuters • Sep. 22, 2010