Distinctive nicknames allow mobsters to refer to a specific fellow gangster without knowing, or saying, their real name. I suspect the biting and colourful nature of mob nicknames is due, in part, to the cross-generational nature of the Mafia. I’ve traced five common roots for a mobster’s nickname: from a mobster’s appearance, personal traits, past experiences, where he is from, or corruptions of his real name. There are some well-known nicknames that are, however, not true mob nicknames at all. I don’t consider these underworld nicknames.

Source: National Post November 12, 2019 17:09 UTC