Goombah is an Italian-American slang term which has several synonyms depending on the region and context. Some of the most common synonyms for goombah are paisan, mobster, wiseguy, button man, associate, racketeer, and capo. Paisan is used in informal settings to refer to a close friend, usually who belongs to the same ethnic group. Wiseguy and racketeer are slang terms used to describe a member of the mafia or organized crime. Capo refers to a high-ranking member who oversees a particular geographical area or criminal activity. Button man and associate are commonly used to refer to a low-level member of a gang who carries out small tasks.