Goodfellas

Goodfellas Glossary

whacked

murdered

made man

an official member of a Mafia family who is entitled to special privileges and protections; the title is restricted to men who can trace their lineage back to Italy

bust out

drive a business, particularly a bar or restaurant, into bankruptcy by stealing products while forcing the owner to take out loans until he or she goes "bust" or bankrupt

rat

informer who provides evidence to police or prosecutors

heist

robbery

mafia

a term referring to a system of organized crime that developed in Sicily and gained a strong presence in the United States during Prohibition

associate

a gangster, such as Henry Hill, who is affiliated with a Mafia family but who is not a made man. Typically an associate is involved in robberies or operations that involve planning.

gangster

a person who earns the majority of his or her living through organized crime, particularly in a way that involves violence or the threat of violence

soldier

a low-ranking gangster who does dirty work but who is not a significant earner or a valued associate. Soldiers may function as drivers, lookouts, or errand runners. Depending on their performance they may eventually become associates or even made men.

RICO

Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a law intended to aid prosecution of people involved in organized crime

wiseguy

a made man or high-ranking associate with minor influence and decision making authority, typically someone with a history of crime who is trusted by his fellow racketeers

craps

A gambling game

One-liners

Simple, one lined jokes

Bobby Vinton

A famous American singer and songwriter known for the song "Blue Velvet"

shine box

A box that a client puts his feet on when he's getting his shoes shined

Animale

The Italian word for animal

Lufthansa

A European airline

Narc

Narcotics officer, someone who does drug busts

truant officer

Someone who ensures that a child is attending school

getting "pinched"

arrested

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