Like "mobster" is a member of a mafia, but why is the word "mob" (which usually means crowd) another word for the mafia? Where did that meaning come from?
2007-02-23 04:51:46 · 9 answers · asked by Lepke 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
During the prohibition era, "mobster" was used as a synonym for "gangster," which contributes to the usage descriptive of Mafia members.
It was common at that time to use the word "mob" as follows:
"Come on over Saturday and play cards with the mob," as in a collection of friends or associates.
2007-02-23 04:59:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mobsters and Mafia are to completely different things...
The Mafia is a Sicilian based organization of pure Sicilian and Italian members (the Family). i.e. criminal secret society.
The Mafia is actuall called Cosa Nostra (meaning our world, our tradition, our values)
Mobsters are essentially gangster which had no real ties to an "honor" and just took over areas.
Al Capone was a mobster (gangster) and bootlegger.
2007-02-23 06:46:34 · answer #2 · answered by Nibbles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word "Mafia" comes from Sicilian dialect. As for how it got to be called "the mob" too, I think that's just the term used when a group of people run out and break the law, as in "a lynch mob" for example.
2007-02-23 05:02:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Books
2016-05-24 02:41:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think 'mob' and 'mafia' are the same thing. Mob can refer to gangsters who don't belong to the Mafia but, not the other way around.
2007-02-23 04:56:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hollywood made it up, just like they did the Mafia. It doesn't exist.
2007-02-23 05:50:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
mob - a crowd bent on or engaged in lawless violence-AND-
a criminal gang, esp. one involved in drug trafficking, extortion, etc.
[Origin: 1680–90; short for L "mōbile vulgus" the movable (i.e., changeable, inconstant) common people]
2007-02-23 06:14:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just guessing but probably rome or something i dont know
2007-02-23 04:55:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i feel retarded *laughs nervously*
2007-02-23 06:34:01 · answer #9 · answered by ~Mmmkay?~ 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋