paisano etymology

Etymology:

• Spanish: paisano
• Latin: paganus ("country dweller")

Meaning:

• A compatriot, especially one from the same region or locality.
• A fellow countryman or woman.
• A civilian, as opposed to a soldier.
• A rustic or unsophisticated person.
• A member of a criminal organization.

Origin:

The word "paisano" originated in the early 16th century in Spanish. It is derived from the Latin word "paganus," which originally meant "country dweller." Over time, the meaning of "paganus" evolved to include anyone who lived outside the city and was not a Christian, and eventually came to be synonymous with "civilian."

In the 17th century, the word "paisano" was introduced to English from Spanish. It was initially used to refer to a fellow countryman or woman, but later came to be used more broadly in its current sense.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the word "paisano" also came to be used in criminal slang to refer to a fellow member of an organized crime syndicate. This usage originated in the Sicilian Mafia and has since spread to other criminal organizations.

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