1.administration -The upper level power structure of a Family
2.Associate-Someone who works with and for wiseguys,but who hasn't been sworn in as a member of a Family.
3.The Books-Euphemism for membership in the Family since nothing is ever written down.When there is an availablity(when some dies),the books are"opened," when no one is being "made" the books are "closed"
4.broken-Demoted in rank;"knocked down".
5.button-A "made" member of a Family;soldier,wiseguy,goodfella,Man of Honor
6.chased -To be banished from the Family and barred from associating or doing business with any made members.
7.cleaning-Taking the necessary step (driving around,stopping in various locations) to avoid being followed.
8.Clock-To keep track of someone's movements and activities.
9.Earner-Someone whose expertise is making money for the Family
10.Empty Suit-Someone with nothing to offer who tries to hang around with mobsters.
11.Made-To be sworn into Cosa Nostra;syns,to be "straightened out"
12.Cosa Nostra-This thing of ours
13.Omerta-Code of silence and one of the premier vows taken when being sworn into the Family violation is punishable by death.
14.Off the record-An action taken without the knowledge or approval of the Family
15.On the record-An action sanctioned by the Family
16.Sit-Down-A meeting with the Family admistration to settle disputes
17.Vig-The interest payment on a loan from a shylock(short for "vigorish")
18.Vouch for-To personally guarantee-with one's life-the reputation of someone dealing with the Family
19.Walk and TalkA mobile discussion on sensitive matters undertaken to avoid listening devices
20.Numbers-An illegal version of the lotto,the numbers as it is commonly known,is determinded by the last three digits of the day's betting handler's at a predesignated area racetrack.
21.Tie-ins-And offical crew meeting and is only for made men.
22Connected-Some one not "made" a full member of This thing of Ours.
23.Citizen-Someone not connected to someone in the mafia.
24.The Commission-The national board of syndicate chiefs that assemble from time to time to discuss major mob issues and settle disputes between organizations.
25.Open City-Meaning any Family could operate their.
26.A Point-is the interest payed on a loan one pomnt is $200.00 you pay the interest until you pay the loan off.
27.To put on the self-Someone who no longer works with the Family.Someone who is "retired" sometimes by force.
28.A Committe-A group of three to five men chosen when a vote is required to decide things as a representative of the whole
29.Knockdown Loan-Is what you still owe after the loan shark agrees you've paid enough vig-that you can't pay any more vig,and that everything you pay after he says it's a knockdown gose to knocking down the principal you still owe him.
30.Banishment-When some one is sentenced to be banishment or even death,it is understood that the action taken will be irreversible.If some one is banished,that person-under pain of death-may never again make contact with anyone in our would.And anyone initiating contact with him will similary be placed uder a capital sentence.There are appeals built into the system to minize the possibilities of a mistake.