wop

American  

[wop] / wɒp /

noun

Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a contemptuous term used to refer to an Italian or a person of Italian descent.

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wop ¹ British  

/ wɒp /

noun

1. slang a member of a Latin people, esp an Italian

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wop ² British  

/ wɒp /

verb

1. a variant spelling of whop

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Etymology

Origin of wop

An Americanism first recorded in 1910–15; from Italian (Neapolitan and Sicilian dialect) guappo “bully, showy,” from Spanish guapo “a dandy”; further origin uncertain, possibly ultimately from Latin vappa “wine that has gone flat; worthless or useless person.” The belief that this word is an acronym of “without papers/passport,” in reference to immigration status, is without substance

Example Sentences

He came up with the song's famed chorus — "a wop bob alu bob a wop bam boom" — while bored washing dishes.

From Salon • May 9, 2020

Beginning on the basketball courts and front stoops of Brooklyn in 1962, the Persuasions recorded rock, doo wop, blues, gospel and pop songs, all with no sound other than their own voices.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 11, 2019

A wop bop alu bop, a wop bam … gone?

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2019

The top five “how to” searches paint a picture of a city that’s studious but also capable of letting loose: how to screenshot, do the wop, flirt, and footnote.

From Washington Post • Dec. 17, 2013

It took place in the auditorium of Red Rock High School, and lo and behold, Stargirl wop that, too.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli