Wop: Difference between revisions
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:''WOP redirects here. For other uses, see [[WOP (disambiguation)]]'' |
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{{Wiktionary|Wop}} '''Wop''' is an American [[English language|English]] [[pejorative]] [[ethnic slur]] for an [[Italians|Italian]]. It is derived from the [[Neapolitan language|Neapolitan]] word "guappo" (often pronounced simply as "guap'" in the regional dialect), meaning a person who flaunts an overbearingly cocky and swaggering attitude. |
{{Wiktionary|Wop}} '''Wop''' is an American [[English language|English]] [[pejorative]] [[ethnic slur]] for an [[Italians|Italian]]. It is derived from the [[Neapolitan language|Neapolitan]] word "guappo" (often pronounced simply as "guap'" in the regional dialect), meaning a person who flaunts an overbearingly cocky and swaggering attitude. |
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In the past, it also could refer to someone following the guapparia, meaning bravery,<ref>[http://www.demauroparavia.it/50684]</ref> i.e., the ancient [[honour code]] of [[Camorra]], a criminal organisation based in [[Naples]] and the region of [[Campania]], which bears similarities to the better-known [[Sicily|Sicilian]] [[Mafia]]. |
In the past, it also could refer to someone following the guapparia, meaning bravery,<ref>[http://www.demauroparavia.it/50684]</ref> i.e., the ancient [[honour code]] of [[Camorra]], a criminal organisation based in [[Naples]] and the region of [[Campania]], which bears similarities to the better-known [[Sicily|Sicilian]] [[Mafia]]. |
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Revision as of 22:15, 5 November 2009
- WOP redirects here. For other uses, see WOP (disambiguation)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2009) |
Wop is an American English pejorative ethnic slur for an Italian. It is derived from the Neapolitan word "guappo" (often pronounced simply as "guap'" in the regional dialect), meaning a person who flaunts an overbearingly cocky and swaggering attitude.
In the past, it also could refer to someone following the guapparia, meaning bravery,[1] i.e., the ancient honour code of Camorra, a criminal organisation based in Naples and the region of Campania, which bears similarities to the better-known Sicilian Mafia.
In Italy, the term "guappo" is still used, often sarcastically, to describe those young native men who really try hard to act brave, play cool, court every pretty girl, and those that are arrogant to the point of inducing a fight.
It was brought to the USA by early Italian immigrants from the region of Campania, who named those suspected to belonging to the Guapparia “Guappi”, in a similar fashion the Sicilians used the term “Mafiosi”. Widely used in Chicago where most immigrants from Campania settled - one of its native sons Al Capone was a typical Guappo - it was confused by the non-Italian population to indicate people of Italian origins, similarly the word “Paesano”.
Contrary to popular belief, it is most likely not an acronym for "With Out Papers" or "Without Passport", one of the most famous examples of folk etymology or backronym. The reason for this is that the term was already in popular use as early as 1910, a period in which no immigrant needed papers to enter the United States (passports and visas were not required of immigrants entering the country until 1921).
This insult was recently used by Welsh Assembly Member Alun Cairns on a live broadcast from Radio Cymru on Friday 13th, June 2008, when he referred to the Italian Euro 2008 football team as "Greasy Wops". As a consequence, he resigned from office.[2]
Until 1991, Wop was also the mascot for Wahpeton High School in Wahpeton, North Dakota.
Also, someone of both portuguese and italian descent is known as a Wopchop (Wop and Porkchop)