Valachi terminology

[scagghiuni]

One more thing. NOBODY, EVER, has used the term “Godfather” in the Street! Not real street guys. That’s a complete fallacy. THAT was the only phrase the Puzo created out of whole cloth.... if it was used. It was used by somebody NOT at all “in the know”. By some half a sucker trying to sound important.

Never, ever!!!!

in the sicilian mafia the term 'padrino' was used from a soldier to indicate who initiated him in the ceremony of initiation... interesting to know when the term 'cosa nostra' arrived in sicily, in the 1800s and early 1900s the members didn't call the organization with that name

[Antiliar]

I believe Tommaso Buscetta said that the Sicilians started calling their organization "Cosa Nostra" after the 1957 Hotel Des Palmes meeting. Before that it was generally called the Fratellanza.

[Chopper]

I believe Tommaso Buscetta said that the Sicilians started calling their organization "Cosa Nostra" after the 1957 Hotel Des Palmes meeting. Before that it was generally called the Fratellanza.

Are there any English books about Buscetta out there? Can only find Italian ones and I dont speak the language.

[scagghiuni]

I believe Tommaso Buscetta said that the Sicilians started calling their organization "Cosa Nostra" after the 1957 Hotel Des Palmes meeting. Before that it was generally called the Fratellanza.

he was made in the late '40 i think, so when he was made it was still called 'the fratellanza'

[MichaelGiovanni]

Here is a great article on the timeline of the cosa nostra name

http://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/mafialacosanostra.html

[maxiestern11]

One more thing. NOBODY, EVER, has used the term “Godfather” in the Street! Not real street guys. That’s a complete fallacy. THAT was the only phrase the Puzo created out of whole cloth.... if it was used. It was used by somebody NOT at all “in the know”. By some half a sucker trying to sound important.

Never, ever!!!!

in the sicilian mafia the term 'padrino' was used from a soldier to indicate who initiated him in the ceremony of initiation... interesting to know when the term 'cosa nostra' arrived in sicily, in the 1800s and early 1900s the members didn't call the organization with that name

Agreed, In fact Joe Bonanno in his autobiography referred to himself and others who headed families as "Fathers" of the "Family". Similar to the way a father heads his household in regular life. And if we think about it, it does make sense. They didn't think of themselves as "Bosses" which connotes more of a business relationship between the father and his picciotti (children)....and "Picciotti" was another term, used on both sides of the Atlantic, but admittedly more in Italy to describe what the American mafia commonly calls "soldiers' or "Soldati" in Italian.....

they were an army, but the atmosphere, at least initially, was more of a true "Famiglia" or Family. As time passed, it took on more of a military terminology, hence the phrases; "Captain" "Soldier", etc. And with much larger memberships. For instance in New York, there are crews with hundreds of members(Gambino, Genovese)....where back in Italy/Sicily, they were typically much smaller crews; 10-20 members, 20-30 members, 40-50- members, which is much more the norm.

In Castellammare del Golfo for instance, in a 2019 government report, they estimated a current membership of appx 70-90 full inducted members. Which is quite large by Sicilian standards.

In time.....over time, everything gets corrupted and slowly morphs. I'm certain certain terminology used by the United States Families, and that of the Families back in Sicily have "exchanged" (for lack of a better term) terms and adopted each others phrases to a degree. Especially in the last 50-60 years with airplane flight so common. They have a much more constant communication between them. so its only natural for them to pick up words and phrases (and operating ideas) from one another.

[thekiduknow]

Here is a great article on the timeline of the cosa nostra name

http://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/mafialacosanostra.html

A fantastic article. I think it’s real interesting how the Mafia is basically nameless, with different areas and groups calling it by different names, yet referring to the same thing with a shared history and culture.

[scagghiuni]

Here is a great article on the timeline of the cosa nostra name

http://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/mafialacosanostra.html

A fantastic article. I think it’s real interesting how the Mafia is basically nameless, with different areas and groups calling it by different names, yet referring to the same thing with a shared history and culture.

it was known as 'society of men of honour' but yeah it was basically nameless although in sicily it was called in several ways, the sect before 1860, the mafia after, the stuppagghieri, sturmi fitusi etc.

[Antiliar]

it was known as 'society of men of honour' but yeah it was basically nameless although in sicily it was called in several ways, the sect before 1860, the mafia after, the stuppagghieri, sturmi fitusi etc.

"Sturmi fitusi"? Never heard of that one. Do you have a source for this name?

[scagghiuni]

it was known as 'society of men of honour' but yeah it was basically nameless although in sicily it was called in several ways, the sect before 1860, the mafia after, the stuppagghieri, sturmi fitusi etc.

"Sturmi fitusi"? Never heard of that one. Do you have a source for this name?

scurmi fitusi was the name of the monreale cosca that fought against stuppagghieri in 1870s

[Antiliar]

it was known as 'society of men of honour' but yeah it was basically nameless although in sicily it was called in several ways, the sect before 1860, the mafia after, the stuppagghieri, sturmi fitusi etc.

"Sturmi fitusi"? Never heard of that one. Do you have a source for this name?

scurmi fitusi was the name of the monreale cosca that fought against stuppagghieri in 1870s

Scurmi fitusi was an insult against the Giardinieri meaning "rotten mackerels." Scombri marci in modern Italian. It wasn't the name members used themselves.

[bronx]

Strocco, a made guy is a stromberger, or he got his strom. bklyn thing

[Antiliar]

Strocco, a made guy is a stromberger, or he got his strom. bklyn thing

Is this common? Where do you think this comes from?

[bronx]

Anti ,no was not common term, was started is the late 70's by a small group of younger non made guys at the time..good question, surprised someone on here heard it before

[bronx]

p.m.me if you have time