"Nicolo Rizzuto, considered the head of the most important mafia group in Montreal, has been shot dead at his home in a move being blamed on rival crime clans, police and Canadian media said."
- News report, SMH 11.11.2010
Mafia. The Mob. The Black Hand, The Honoured Society. Cosa Nostra… interesting names, interesting people, interesting culture. Mario Puzo created expressions in connection with the Mafia that have become part of our language – “Make him an offer he can’t refuse.” “A man with a briefcase can steal more than a man with a gun.” Even movies pay homage to The Godfather, as in You've Got Mail: “The Godfather is the I Ching. The Godfather is the sum of all wisdom. The Godfather is the answer to any question.”
It started me thinking as to how the term Mafia originated. Following is what I found:
