Italian-Americans - Roman History

Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.

Italian-Americans: According to the National Italian American Foundation (www.niaf.org/research/contribution.demographic/ consulted 08/03/06) about 15% of the American population was of Italian ancestry. This meant that there were (1990) nearly 15 million Americans of full Italian background. If those with only partial Italian ancestry were considered, the number rose to c26 million. The states with the highest number of Italian Americans were (according to the 1990 US census): California: 1,500,000.Connecticut 650,000.Massachusetts 845,000.New Jersey 1,500,000.New York 2,900,000.Pennsylvania 1,400,000.Rhode Island 200,000.Florida (800,000).Illinois (730,000).Ohio (640,000).Michigan (412,000).Texas (314,000).Maryland (253,000).
According to the records of the United States Immigration Bureau, between 1821 and 1892, 526,749 Italians immigrated to the U.S. Over the subsequent 6 years (1893 to 1899), the number of Italian arrivals increased to 417,367.
Italian-Americans and Italians, Prejudice against
Considerable prejudice was shown towards Italian immigrants and their descendants in much of the United States during much of the 20^th Century. Several derogatory terms came into use to refer to the immigrants and their offspring.

Derogatory terms used against Italians and Italian Americans
(Source: The Racial Slur Index. www.rsdb.org/)
(Warning: Some readers may find terms in this table to be offensive. This list is added for educational purposes. It is meant to show the extent of prejudice against Italian immigrants to America and to Americans of Italian descent.)


Term	Source
Black Dagos	Derived from the belief that some Sicilians are of partly Black African origins.
Bologna	Derives from the Italian city Bologna.
Brown Pants/Shirts	A derogatory term coined during World War II by American Gis to refer to Italian soldiers. It was claimed that the Italians were such cowards that they soiled themselves from fear in battle.
Burnt Pizza	Meant to refer to the dark-skinned Italians.
Calzone	Italian food
Chop	A person of mixed Chinese-Italian blood (Chink+Wop).
Dago	Originally coming from Spain. “Diego” was a common name in Italy at the time this slang was first used.
Dagowop	A combination of Dago and Wop.
Eggplant	Often used to imply that Italians, especially of darker complexion, were of African blood.
Eggplant- Parmesan	A person of mixed African-Italian blood.
Euro	A term used to refer to all Europeans, including Italians. Usually used as a pejorative.
Fonzie	A term originating from the popular character of that name on the Happy Days TV show.
Garlic Bread	Derived from the tasty Garlic flavored bread favorite among Italians.
Garlic Breadth	Referring to the use of garlic in Italian cuisine.
Geep	From Pinnochio’s “father” Gepetto.
Gina	Common Italian name.
Ginny	In reference to popular Italian garb Ginny T’s, now more commonly known as wife beater shirts.
Gino	Common Italian name.
Ginzo	Derives from the word Guinea.
Goombah	From the Italian word “Compare” (pronounced ‘cumpa’) meaning “a close friend.” Considered a slur when used by non-Italians to describe an Italian male.
Grape-Smasher	Refers to the Italian wine-making practice of smashing grapes with their feet.
Grape-Stomper	Refers to the Italian wine-making practice of smashing grapes with their feet.
Grease Ball/Bag	Multiple origins. The most common being that the Italian people supposedly have an abnormally oily dermis and epidermis. Sometimes called a Greaser.
Guidette	Feminine version of Guido.
Guido	Northern term referring to Italians who try to portray a mafia mentality. Feminine version is Guidette.
Guinea Pig	An overweight Italian
Guinea/Ginney	Pronounced “gi-nee.” Originally used in the 1740s as “Guinea Negro,” it referred to any Black or any person of mixed ancestry. By the 1890s it was being applied to Italians—probably because of their darker complexion in comparison to northern Europeans. By 1911 the term began being applied to Hispanics, although the reference to Italians is the most common. Derived from Sicilian immigrants who paid in Italian currency, Guineas.
Hightalian	A derogatory term for upper-class, wealthy, snobbish Italians.
Hothead	Derived from the belief that Italians had short, violent tempers.
I-Tie	A corruption of the word “Italian.”
IROC	Italian Retards Out Crusing. A term popular especially popular in the Eastern United States.
Jabonee	A term used by native-born Italian Americans in reference to newly arrived Italian immigrants, who could not speak English.
Jewop	A person of mixed Jewish-Italian blood (Jew+Wop).
Katzenfresser	An anti-Italian slur of German origin meaning “cat-eater.”
Laposta	Italian slang for lazy person with a small penis.
Luigi	From a character in a popular video game. Used to refer to a tall, thin Italian. (see Mario).
Macaroni	Refers to the popular Italian pasta.
Makaronifresser	An anti-Italian slur of German origin meaning “macaroni-eater.” The term is particularly rude because the term essen , used in reference to a human eater, is replaced with fressen, used in connection with animals.
Mario	From a character in a popular video game. Used to refer to a fat Italian. (see Luigi).
McWop	A person of mixed Irish-Italian blood (Mick+Wop).
Meatball	A reference to Italian cuisine.
Med Wop	A combination of Mediterranean and Wop.
Melanzana	From the Italian word for Eggplant. Used to refer to a person of dark complexion.
Minglia	A derogatory term derived from the Sicilian dialect word for “dick.”
Moolie	A short form of Melanzane.
Moolignon	A variation of Melanzane. Possibly a combination of Moolie and hooligan.
PIGS	Portuguese+Italian+Greek+Spanish. Used to refer principally to Mediterranean males because of so-called “piggish” behavior towards women.
Pizzabagel	A person of mixed Jewish-Italian blood. Especially popular in New York.
Pizza Nigger	A pejorative derived from the belief that many Italian are of Black African origins.
Polentone	A term used by southern Italians for Northern ItaliansIt refers to the Northern Italian cuisine called polenta which the southerners considered an inferior dish.
Portawop	A person of mixed Portuguese-Italian blood.
Provolone	Derives from provolone cheese. Used for a Italian with “cheesy” tastes.
Ragu	A term derived from the word meaning pasta sauce.
Rasta Fazoul	A person of mixed Jamaican-Italian blood. (Pasta+Rastafarian)
Rizzo	A pejorative which originated from advertisements for Rizzo brand pasta sauce placed on dumpsters.
Salami	Derives from the belief that Italians have a body odor resembling salami.
Spaghetti vendor	Self-explanatory.
Spaghetti-Slurper	Derives from the popular Italian pasta dish.
Spaghetti-Twister	Derives from the popular Italian pasta dish.
Spaghetto	A term for an Italian who acts “Black.”
Spic	A term originally attached to those of Hispanic origins. By the late 19^th century, it had been extended towards Italians as well.
Spider	A term for Italian-American inspired by a character named Spider in the movie “Goodfellas.”
Stallion	Derives from the movie Rocky, Stallion being the nickname of the title character.
Swap	A person of mixed Mexican-Italian blood. (Spic+Wop)
Terrone	A term applied to southern Italians. It derives from the Italian word Terra = land, earth. A “terrone” was a person who worked the earth, i.e. a peasant.
Tony	Derived from the tag attached to the luggage of poor Italian immigrants to America (TO NY = to New York).
Tony Soprano	A term deriving from the name of a character in the television show “The Sopranos”. It is meant to imply that all Italian-Americans are connected to the mafia.
Uni-brow	A term of derision derived from the belief that both Greeks and Italians have this physical trait.
Wallione	A term of friendship between Italians, but considered to be derogatory when used by a non-Italian.
Whopper	A variation of Wop.
Won Ton Parmesan	A person of mixed Asian-Italian blood.
Wonder Bread Wop	A term used by Italians for an Italian who rejected his heritage in favor of “WASP” American culture.
WOP	A term of disputed origins. According to one belief it means “Without Papers” or “Without Official Papers”, and is meant to imply that the Italian immigrants arrived illegally. Another theory is that it meant “Working On Pavement” referring to immigrants working as street vendors or outdoor workers. A third theory is that it is a corruption of the Neapolitan dialect word “guappo” (pronounced “woppo”) meaning to a criminal or strong bully.
Wopalock	A person of mixed Polish-Italian blood. (Wop+Polock)
Wopski	A person of mixed Polish-Italian blood.
Zip	A term used by native-born Italian-Americans for new Italian immigrants because they spoke their mother tongue so quickly.

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