2 words, first word begins with w. 4&3

[tam1970]

What is the United States Mafioso called,

[Quizmonster]

When a member of the Mafia has carried out his first killing, I understand that he is called a "made man", so are you sure of your 'w'?

[Gevs1966]

The answer is Wise Guy

[Quizmonster]

I've no doubt you're right, Gevs, but what links 'wise guy' specifically to a mafioso? I thought it referred to just any conceited smart alec who was trying to be 'clever'.

[Gevs1966]

It's where the term originated. Watch, Goodfellas, Donnie Brasco and such films and you'll get the idea.

Donnie Brasco has one scene I remember where Al Pacinos character actually goes through and says what all the things mean. I think you are slightly wrong on your definition of a made man also. A "Made man" is someone who is in the "family" through a relationship and they have to be 100% decended from Sicilian origin. I'm not sure if the killing part is relevant at all as it is down to the head of the "family" to decide when you get "made"

[Quizmonster]

Please understand, Gevs, I am not quibbling with your original response, but I'm still not convinced that the phrase 'wise guy' was a Mafia invention, as you suggest, though they may have "taken it over" later. The earliest recorded use of the phrase in American writing is from 1896 and it does not appear to have anything to do with the Mafia specifically. In fact, at that date, I can't imagine the Mafia even had much of a foothold in American society at all. The influx of Italian migrants had only started shortly before then.

Thanks for the correction on 'made man', but I'd acquired my interpretation of that specifically from films and series such as 'The Sopranos'!