Goon

Goon is slang for someone who lacks intelligence or common sense in a stupid, silly, or clumsy way. People may use it playfully or as an insult directed at someone acting foolishly or making bad decisions. Some also use the term in a broader sense to refer to hired muscle, such as bodyguards or enforcers, especially in old gangster movies or crime stories.

You may see or hear "goon" in various contexts, including in online and in-person communication in pop culture and sports contexts. In hockey, for example, a goon is a player whose main role is fighting or intimidating opponents rather than contributing skillfully to the game.

Origin of goon

The origins of the slang term "goon" are unclear, although it has existed since the early 20th century. Some believe it originated from The Goon Show, a British radio comedy program from the 1950s, which popularized the term to mean a silly or foolish person. However, the word itself predates the show and was already used in the early 20th century.

One of the earliest known uses of "goon" comes from Popeye comics in the 1930s, where it referred to a race of large, strong, but dim-witted characters, most notably Alice the Goon. Over time, the word became associated with hired thugs or enforcers, especially in labor disputes during the early 1900s when goons were brought in to intimidate workers.