da·go /ˈdeɪgoʊ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciationdey-goh Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -gos, -goes. (often initial capital letter) Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.
a person of Italian or sometimes Spanish origin or descent.
dago is widely used as an insult to italians and spaniards, regardless of the actual origin and meaning of the word. Languages and the words used in them are always subject to change of meaning, alterations and often discontinued.
Originally used to describe Spanish sailors in the 18th and 19th century by the Britishnavy, it is now a derogatory term used in the US to refer to Italians or Italian Americans, especially those recently immigrated and not yet assimilated to American culture. Still refers to Spanish or Hispanic people in current British English. Not commonly used anymore, mostly seen in early 20th century literature.
A derogatory word for American Italians. The original immigrants were payed as the "day goes", instead of having a fixed salary. This was then morphed into dago.