goon squad

American  

noun

1. a group of hired thugs used to perform ruthless or violent acts.

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Etymology

Origin of goon squad

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey has said he was not aware of the allegations of violence against his deputies over the years and that he did not know about the Goon Squad moniker.

From New York Times

The chat shows that deputies working under Lieutenant Middleton began calling themselves the Goon Squad as far back as 2019.

From New York Times

“I’m not sure how 1 will feel about the goon squad,” Lieutenant Middleton wrote.

From New York Times

The final version of the coin, which the lieutenant gave to the deputies as Christmas gifts in 2022, pictured cartoonish gangsters and said “Lt. Middleton’s Goon Squad.”

From New York Times

The only defendant who didn’t receive a federal prison term at the top of the sentencing guidelines was Hartfield, who did not work in a sheriff’s department with the others and was not a member of the “Goon Squad.”

From Seattle Times