Definition of goon

The origin of the word "goon" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the mid-19th century in British English. One theory is that it comes from the Goman, a type of armed mercenary or bodyguard in medieval Spain. Another theory suggests that it is derived from the Sanskrit word "gona," meaning " servant" or "follower". In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the term "goon" began to be used in North America, particularly in the context of labor disputes. During a strike, a scab or strikebreaker was referred to as a "goon". The term gained popularity in the 1930s and 1940s, particularly in professional hockey, where enforcers or tough players were nicknamed "goons". Today, the term is used more broadly to refer to someone who is perceived as aggressive, intimidating, or out of control.