Talk:goon

Chinese

One would have thought it came from Chinese 惡棍. Jidanni 22:23, 6 April 2008 (UTC)

Hindi

There is a Hindi word, "goonda," that means a thug or henchman. I wonder if there's a connection. Given that some etymologies trace the word to colonial-era Britain, it seems plausible.

Something Awful

Not sure whether includable, but in Internet slang this seems to refer to members of the forum on the Web site "Something Awful". I've also often seen "SA goons". Equinox ◑ 20:06, 7 August 2015 (UTC)

English

I had heard that it came from the 1840's Dragoon regiments of the British army in Ireland that were guarding shipments of food along the canals for export via Dublin's ports while Ireland was in the grip of famine. Only source I can find right now is here: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GdGOsEFXYAE9JOO?format=jpg&name=medium