3 definitions by uberrimus
I) A social, cultural isolation placed upon a minority group. As a derogatory term is mostly used to indicate a neglected, poor and filthy neighborhood, usually crime infested, in a city.
II) The word “Ghetto” is an Italian word that derives from the Venetian (from Venezia) word “Ghèto” (pronounced “get-oh”) which in turn comes from the Italian word “Getto” (pronounced “Je`t-toh” literally translated “Thrown” or “Poured”) from the verb “Gettare”. The term “Ghèto” was used to indicate a small island near Venice which had a “foundry” (the act of pouring liquid metals into a container or form is called in Venetian dialect “Ghèto” still used today when you go to see the glass pouring techniques). Around the XIV-XV Century this island was given to the Jews, of Venezia and surrounding areas, to keep them separated from the aristocracy and general inhabitant of Venezia. In time they all moved and concentrated in this island, either they were money changers or commoners. The Island never took the name “Ghèto” but in time the word changed to “Ghetto” to differentiate the term from both “Getto” and “Ghèto” and to the Italians and surrounding nations the new term indicated where the Jews were “poured or thrown to” or in a nicer term, where they lived in; the word took international footing during WWII when Germans, long time occupiers of Venezia, familiar with this term, used it to indicate first where Jews or Gypsies lived and subsequently were they were kept or concentrated.
III) It also took a different meaning when associated with words such as “golden” (Ghetto Dorato) to indicate where rich and affluent people lived. Today it has still the same meaning indicating an area where people are isolated culturally and socially but it is mostly used in a derogatory way.
II) The word “Ghetto” is an Italian word that derives from the Venetian (from Venezia) word “Ghèto” (pronounced “get-oh”) which in turn comes from the Italian word “Getto” (pronounced “Je`t-toh” literally translated “Thrown” or “Poured”) from the verb “Gettare”. The term “Ghèto” was used to indicate a small island near Venice which had a “foundry” (the act of pouring liquid metals into a container or form is called in Venetian dialect “Ghèto” still used today when you go to see the glass pouring techniques). Around the XIV-XV Century this island was given to the Jews, of Venezia and surrounding areas, to keep them separated from the aristocracy and general inhabitant of Venezia. In time they all moved and concentrated in this island, either they were money changers or commoners. The Island never took the name “Ghèto” but in time the word changed to “Ghetto” to differentiate the term from both “Getto” and “Ghèto” and to the Italians and surrounding nations the new term indicated where the Jews were “poured or thrown to” or in a nicer term, where they lived in; the word took international footing during WWII when Germans, long time occupiers of Venezia, familiar with this term, used it to indicate first where Jews or Gypsies lived and subsequently were they were kept or concentrated.
III) It also took a different meaning when associated with words such as “golden” (Ghetto Dorato) to indicate where rich and affluent people lived. Today it has still the same meaning indicating an area where people are isolated culturally and socially but it is mostly used in a derogatory way.
by uberrimus June 1, 2006
“WOP” is the English pronunciation of the Ital-Neapolitan word “GUAPPO”. The word defines those who belong to the Guapperia o “Camorra”, a criminal organization similar to the Sicilian Mafia located mostly in the province of Campania (an Italian Province) and its capital Napoli, Italia. The term is still commonly used especially in Central-South Italy (Meridione) to describe those that either belong to the organization or those that are arrogant to the point of inducing a fight. It was brought to the USA by early Italian immigrants from the province of Campania who named those suspected to belonging to the Guapperia “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”. The term has been erroneously explained to mean “Without Papers” because of the initials “WP” by those, Italian descent or not, that have little knowledge of Italian history and dialects. The term has taken a derogatory meaning in North America and for many refers to people of Italian origin or background.
by uberrimus May 9, 2006
“WOP” is the English adaptation and mis-pronunciation of the Ital-Neapolitan word “GUAPPO” (Pronounced "Guah-ppoh"). The word defines those who belong to the Guapperia o “Camorra”, a criminal organization similar to the Sicilian Mafia located mostly in the province of Campania (an Italian Province) and its capital Napoli, Italia. The term is still commonly used in Italy especially in Central-South (Meridione) to describe those that either belong to the organization or those that are arrogant to the point of inducing a fight. It was brought to the USA by early Italian immigrants from the province of "Campania" who named those suspected to belong to the "Guapperia": "Guappi", in a similar fashion 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", the term was confused by the non Italian population to indicate people of Italian origins, similarly to the word “Paesano”. The term has been erroneously explained to mean “Without Papers” because of the initials “WP” or "WOP" by those, Italian descent or not, that have little knowledge of Italian history and dialects. The term has taken a derogatory meaning in North America and for many refers to people of Italian origin or background.
by uberrimus May 16, 2006