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 This is probaly an ignorant question, but whats a MOOK???

  • Super User

I defer this to the KING OF MOOK's.

He'll be  along shortly.    8-)

  • Super User

MOOK: this is the version that was taught to me, and handed down to generations of fellas in South Brooklyn

In the 50's, on the Honeymooners show Norton was supposed to call Ralph a MOAX, I think that is the spelling. He accidentally said MOOK; it caught on in Brooklyn it seems , then died down

In 1973 Martin Scorsese released MEAN STREETS, a really great film about some younger wannabees, growing up around the mob, in Little Italy circa late 50's early 60's. It was originally a student film project! In one scene Di Nero owes a bookie named Paulie some money and he and Kitel go a pool hall to pay him. When they are walking up to said pool hall, DiNero confesses to Kitel he has spent the money, Paulie was not too pleased.

A fight ensues and at one point a big gorilla , working for Paulie has one of them in a head lock and screams out A mook, you can't call me a mook, HEY PAULIE WHATS A MOOK?

In the background, is a TV in the scene and you got it THE HONEYMOONERS IS PLAYING!!

MOOK became hot again in my South Brooklyn Neighborhood! We all instantly became MOOKS.

Over the years it has also gained some generic uses I will list a few

Mook: normal every day friend, in my hood it replaced Pisano. When we saw each other it would be' What's up Mook

MOOK; Unskilled labor: our block had a lot of bricklayers (Italians) and carpenters (Irish) and they would do side jobs. THE GASLIGHT; local saloon would have notices hung up;

Side job: need 2 brick guys, a carpenter and 2 MOOKS: laborers, not derogatory

MOOK; stupid move. As in guy falls off bar stool, the guy next to him; THAT WAS A MOOK MOVE

Getting MOOKED; getting kidded or teased.

Suit Mooks: Lawyers and Wall Street types

Stoop Mooks: Stoops are concrete stairs leading to the brownstones we grew up in. Nosy old ladies, gossipers and unemployed folks hanging out on them.

WINDOW MOOKS: About the same, except hung out of window

Most of the time Mook is a good and noble thing!

Interesting!

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