goombah

Probably originates from the Neapolitan cumpà (“buddy, pal”, akin to Italian compare, Sicilian cumpari, Spanish compadre, from Latin compater, literally “godfather”), a word often used to refer to “family friends” or friends close enough to be considered an “aunt” or “uncle”, though not related by blood.
To an English-speaking ear, the unaspirated stops of Southern Italian dialects (especially Neapolitan) are interpreted as voiced stops, yielding goombah. Compare Southern American Spanish cumpa.

• goomba

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɡumbɑ/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɡuːmˈbɑː/
• Rhymes: -ɑː
• Hyphenation: goom‧bah

goombah (plural goombahs)

1. (US, slang, derogatory, ethnic slur) A person of Italian descent.

   Synonyms: dago, Eyetie, greaseball, Guido, guinea, wog, wop

2. (US, slang) A companion, pal, close friend, or associate, used especially among Italian-American men. It sometimes has the connotation of an older friend who acts as a patron, protector or adviser.

goombah (plural goombahs)

1. Alternative form of gumbe, a Jamaican drum.