"Guido" is a pejorative slang term for a young, lower class or working class, Italian-American male from the urban Northeastern United States, most often New York and the surrounding area due to the large number of Italian-Americans living in the area. The guido stereotype is often portrayed as humorously and incorrigibly uncultured, with a thuggish and overtly macho attitude and an unyielding pride in his Italian ancestry. The term is likely derived from the Italian proper name Guido, and is used and recognized particularly around New York City, (especially Staten Island, Brooklyn, Long Island, the Bronx, Queens), South Philadelphia, Baltimore, and various cities due to the large Italian-American populations within these regions. The stereotype is usually considered derogatory or an ethnic slur; however, it is, in many cases, used as a term for an Italian criminal in the Mafia in areas where guido culture is common, much like the term "goombah." In fact, "goombah" and "guido" have often been interchangeable. However, in recent years, the term "guido" has been applied to a certain style rather than just a person of Italian ancestry. Due to the emergence of this term, some people have been referred to as "guido" despite the fact that they have no Italian ancestry. Clothing associated with the stereotype includes gold chains, working class clothing such as plain T-shirts, muscle shirts, or "guinea t's" (derived from the term "guinea," an ethnic slur for Italians), leather jackets, sweat or tracksuits, unbuttoned dress shirts, and dress suits. Slicked-back hair or pompadours were a common stereotype, with spiked hair being a common stereotype now.
