Does “Mafia” come from Sicilian meaning “death to the French”?
Someone once mentioned to me (must have been a Sicilian patriot or something) that in some kind of ancient long-forgotten Sicilian slang the word "mafia" actually meant "Death to the French!"
I mean, it stands to reason. There are rumors that the Cosa Nostra was born on the very night when all Sicilians, or all Sicilians worth speaking of, anyway, rose as one and wiped out all businessmen from Anjou in Palermo and elsewhere to keep them from oppressing them economically. Or something. There's a very popular opera by Giuseppe Verdi on the subject. For obvious reasons, there is no French opera on the same subject.
The word "mafia" has been an English word for quite a while; thus, the question is legitimate: could it be true? Was it really Sicilian initially, and did it really mean "Death to the French!"? I've heard other stories ... I mean, versions ... but this one is awfully romantic, and we're all romantics at heart. Any thoughts and/or facts?
etymology
edited Nov 11 '15 at 19:12
Hellion
53k13108196
asked Nov 10 '15 at 2:37
RickyRicky
14.4k53580
add a comment |
Someone once mentioned to me (must have been a Sicilian patriot or something) that in some kind of ancient long-forgotten Sicilian slang the word "mafia" actually meant "Death to the French!"
I mean, it stands to reason. There are rumors that the Cosa Nostra was born on the very night when all Sicilians, or all Sicilians worth speaking of, anyway, rose as one and wiped out all businessmen from Anjou in Palermo and elsewhere to keep them from oppressing them economically. Or something. There's a very popular opera by Giuseppe Verdi on the subject. For obvious reasons, there is no French opera on the same subject.
The word "mafia" has been an English word for quite a while; thus, the question is legitimate: could it be true? Was it really Sicilian initially, and did it really mean "Death to the French!"? I've heard other stories ... I mean, versions ... but this one is awfully romantic, and we're all romantics at heart. Any thoughts and/or facts?
etymology
edited Nov 11 '15 at 19:12
Hellion
53k13108196
asked Nov 10 '15 at 2:37
RickyRicky
14.4k53580
1
Yes, I'm familiar with this theory too.
– Ricky
Nov 10 '15 at 3:05
1
You will find this answer at the given link. "According to one legend, the origin of the word began with the French invasion of Sicily in 1282, and the saying ‘Morte Alla Francia Italia Anela!’ (‘Death to the French is Italy’s Cry! ’) or M.A.F.I.A." Read more at: economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/…
– user333791
yesterday
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about Sicilian dialect, not English.
– David
11 hours ago
Actually, the quote you mentioned said..."..according to the legend", and is not reliable.
– Cascabel
9 hours ago
add a comment |
Someone once mentioned to me (must have been a Sicilian patriot or something) that in some kind of ancient long-forgotten Sicilian slang the word "mafia" actually meant "Death to the French!"
I mean, it stands to reason. There are rumors that the Cosa Nostra was born on the very night when all Sicilians, or all Sicilians worth speaking of, anyway, rose as one and wiped out all businessmen from Anjou in Palermo and elsewhere to keep them from oppressing them economically. Or something. There's a very popular opera by Giuseppe Verdi on the subject. For obvious reasons, there is no French opera on the same subject.
The word "mafia" has been an English word for quite a while; thus, the question is legitimate: could it be true? Was it really Sicilian initially, and did it really mean "Death to the French!"? I've heard other stories ... I mean, versions ... but this one is awfully romantic, and we're all romantics at heart. Any thoughts and/or facts?
etymology
edited Nov 11 '15 at 19:12
Hellion
53k13108196
asked Nov 10 '15 at 2:37
RickyRicky
14.4k53580
Someone once mentioned to me (must have been a Sicilian patriot or something) that in some kind of ancient long-forgotten Sicilian slang the word "mafia" actually meant "Death to the French!"
I mean, it stands to reason. There are rumors that the Cosa Nostra was born on the very night when all Sicilians, or all Sicilians worth speaking of, anyway, rose as one and wiped out all businessmen from Anjou in Palermo and elsewhere to keep them from oppressing them economically. Or something. There's a very popular opera by Giuseppe Verdi on the subject. For obvious reasons, there is no French opera on the same subject.
The word "mafia" has been an English word for quite a while; thus, the question is legitimate: could it be true? Was it really Sicilian initially, and did it really mean "Death to the French!"? I've heard other stories ... I mean, versions ... but this one is awfully romantic, and we're all romantics at heart. Any thoughts and/or facts?
etymology
etymology
edited Nov 11 '15 at 19:12
Hellion
53k13108196
asked Nov 10 '15 at 2:37
RickyRicky
14.4k53580
edited Nov 11 '15 at 19:12
Hellion
53k13108196
asked Nov 10 '15 at 2:37
RickyRicky
14.4k53580
edited Nov 11 '15 at 19:12
Hellion
53k13108196
edited Nov 11 '15 at 19:12
Hellion
53k13108196
edited Nov 11 '15 at 19:12
Hellion
53k13108196
53k13108196
asked Nov 10 '15 at 2:37
RickyRicky
14.4k53580
asked Nov 10 '15 at 2:37
RickyRicky
14.4k53580
asked Nov 10 '15 at 2:37
RickyRicky
14.4k53580
14.4k53580
1
Yes, I'm familiar with this theory too.
– Ricky
Nov 10 '15 at 3:05
1
You will find this answer at the given link. "According to one legend, the origin of the word began with the French invasion of Sicily in 1282, and the saying ‘Morte Alla Francia Italia Anela!’ (‘Death to the French is Italy’s Cry! ’) or M.A.F.I.A." Read more at: economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/…
– user333791
yesterday
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about Sicilian dialect, not English.
– David
11 hours ago
Actually, the quote you mentioned said..."..according to the legend", and is not reliable.
– Cascabel
9 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Yes, I'm familiar with this theory too.
– Ricky
Nov 10 '15 at 3:05
1
You will find this answer at the given link. "According to one legend, the origin of the word began with the French invasion of Sicily in 1282, and the saying ‘Morte Alla Francia Italia Anela!’ (‘Death to the French is Italy’s Cry! ’) or M.A.F.I.A." Read more at: economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/…
– user333791
yesterday
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about Sicilian dialect, not English.
– David
11 hours ago
Actually, the quote you mentioned said..."..according to the legend", and is not reliable.
– Cascabel
9 hours ago
1
1
Yes, I'm familiar with this theory too.
– Ricky
Nov 10 '15 at 3:05
Yes, I'm familiar with this theory too.
– Ricky
Nov 10 '15 at 3:05
1
1
You will find this answer at the given link. "According to one legend, the origin of the word began with the French invasion of Sicily in 1282, and the saying ‘Morte Alla Francia Italia Anela!’ (‘Death to the French is Italy’s Cry! ’) or M.A.F.I.A." Read more at: economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/…
– user333791
yesterday
You will find this answer at the given link. "According to one legend, the origin of the word began with the French invasion of Sicily in 1282, and the saying ‘Morte Alla Francia Italia Anela!’ (‘Death to the French is Italy’s Cry! ’) or M.A.F.I.A." Read more at: economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/…
– user333791
yesterday
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about Sicilian dialect, not English.
– David
11 hours ago
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about Sicilian dialect, not English.
– David
11 hours ago
Actually, the quote you mentioned said..."..according to the legend", and is not reliable.
– Cascabel
9 hours ago
Actually, the quote you mentioned said..."..according to the legend", and is not reliable.
– Cascabel
9 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
Oxford English Dictionary has the following:
Etymology: < Italian mafioso, probably re-formed (as if < mafia mafia n. + ‑oso ‑ous suffix) < mafiuso (1862 in G. Rizzotto I mafiusi della Vicaria) probably < Italian regional (Sicily) mafiusu, further etymology uncertain and disputed.
Italian regional (Sicily) mafiusu is perhaps a blend of marfusu scoundrel and marfiuni, marpiuni cheat (Italian marpione; ultimately < French morpion morpion n.); Italian regional (Sicily) marfusu (Italian †malfusso rascal; 15th‑cent.) is < Spanish marfuz renegade, traitor (1330) < Arabic marfūḍ outcast, reprobate, passive participle of rafaḍa refuse to accept, reject.
edited yesterday
tchrist♦
109k28290465
answered Nov 10 '15 at 2:51
jlovegrenjlovegren
12k12143
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Oxford English Dictionary has the following:
Etymology: < Italian mafioso, probably re-formed (as if < mafia mafia n. + ‑oso ‑ous suffix) < mafiuso (1862 in G. Rizzotto I mafiusi della Vicaria) probably < Italian regional (Sicily) mafiusu, further etymology uncertain and disputed.
Italian regional (Sicily) mafiusu is perhaps a blend of marfusu scoundrel and marfiuni, marpiuni cheat (Italian marpione; ultimately < French morpion morpion n.); Italian regional (Sicily) marfusu (Italian †malfusso rascal; 15th‑cent.) is < Spanish marfuz renegade, traitor (1330) < Arabic marfūḍ outcast, reprobate, passive participle of rafaḍa refuse to accept, reject.
edited yesterday
tchrist♦
109k28290465
answered Nov 10 '15 at 2:51
jlovegrenjlovegren
12k12143
add a comment |
Oxford English Dictionary has the following:
Etymology: < Italian mafioso, probably re-formed (as if < mafia mafia n. + ‑oso ‑ous suffix) < mafiuso (1862 in G. Rizzotto I mafiusi della Vicaria) probably < Italian regional (Sicily) mafiusu, further etymology uncertain and disputed.
Italian regional (Sicily) mafiusu is perhaps a blend of marfusu scoundrel and marfiuni, marpiuni cheat (Italian marpione; ultimately < French morpion morpion n.); Italian regional (Sicily) marfusu (Italian †malfusso rascal; 15th‑cent.) is < Spanish marfuz renegade, traitor (1330) < Arabic marfūḍ outcast, reprobate, passive participle of rafaḍa refuse to accept, reject.
edited yesterday
tchrist♦
109k28290465
answered Nov 10 '15 at 2:51
jlovegrenjlovegren
12k12143
add a comment |
Oxford English Dictionary has the following:
Etymology: < Italian mafioso, probably re-formed (as if < mafia mafia n. + ‑oso ‑ous suffix) < mafiuso (1862 in G. Rizzotto I mafiusi della Vicaria) probably < Italian regional (Sicily) mafiusu, further etymology uncertain and disputed.
Italian regional (Sicily) mafiusu is perhaps a blend of marfusu scoundrel and marfiuni, marpiuni cheat (Italian marpione; ultimately < French morpion morpion n.); Italian regional (Sicily) marfusu (Italian †malfusso rascal; 15th‑cent.) is < Spanish marfuz renegade, traitor (1330) < Arabic marfūḍ outcast, reprobate, passive participle of rafaḍa refuse to accept, reject.
edited yesterday
tchrist♦
109k28290465
answered Nov 10 '15 at 2:51
jlovegrenjlovegren
12k12143
Oxford English Dictionary has the following:
Etymology: < Italian mafioso, probably re-formed (as if < mafia mafia n. + ‑oso ‑ous suffix) < mafiuso (1862 in G. Rizzotto I mafiusi della Vicaria) probably < Italian regional (Sicily) mafiusu, further etymology uncertain and disputed.
Italian regional (Sicily) mafiusu is perhaps a blend of marfusu scoundrel and marfiuni, marpiuni cheat (Italian marpione; ultimately < French morpion morpion n.); Italian regional (Sicily) marfusu (Italian †malfusso rascal; 15th‑cent.) is < Spanish marfuz renegade, traitor (1330) < Arabic marfūḍ outcast, reprobate, passive participle of rafaḍa refuse to accept, reject.
edited yesterday
tchrist♦
109k28290465
answered Nov 10 '15 at 2:51
jlovegrenjlovegren
12k12143
edited yesterday
tchrist♦
109k28290465
edited yesterday
tchrist♦
109k28290465
edited yesterday
tchrist♦
109k28290465
109k28290465
answered Nov 10 '15 at 2:51
jlovegrenjlovegren
12k12143
answered Nov 10 '15 at 2:51
jlovegrenjlovegren
12k12143
answered Nov 10 '15 at 2:51
jlovegrenjlovegren
12k12143
12k12143
add a comment |
add a comment |
1
Yes, I'm familiar with this theory too.
– Ricky
Nov 10 '15 at 3:05
1
You will find this answer at the given link. "According to one legend, the origin of the word began with the French invasion of Sicily in 1282, and the saying ‘Morte Alla Francia Italia Anela!’ (‘Death to the French is Italy’s Cry! ’) or M.A.F.I.A." Read more at: economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/…
– user333791
yesterday
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is a question about Sicilian dialect, not English.
– David
11 hours ago
Actually, the quote you mentioned said..."..according to the legend", and is not reliable.
– Cascabel
9 hours ago