Drab
Dull; lacking or interest
Delve
Investigate; search or research
Flab
Body fat
Nuthouse
Home or hospital for people with mental illnesses
Wacko
Mad; insane
Pharisees
A sect in ancient Israel, known for an emphasis on strict adherence to law; here, used to mean self-righteous or hypocritical people
Jinxed
unlucky or cursed
Moulanyan
A racist and derogatory term used toward African Americans by Italian Americans, from the Italian word for eggplant
Copacabana
Famous New York City nightclub. Entertainers like Danny Thomas, Pat Cooper, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis made their debuts at the Copacabana.
Mammalucco
Italian for a fool; used to communicate a low opinion of someone's intelligence
Father of the Bride
A 1950 comedy film starring Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett, Elizabeth Taylor, and Don Taylor; the film centers on Tracy's character as he attempts to cope with his daughter's forthcoming wedding
Cannonaded
To attack with, or as if with, a cannon; barrage
Degenerate
An immoral person; someone who lacks normal moral and mental qualities; someone who exhibits a decline or decay in character
Braciole
Slang term for woman; literally, an Italian dish of flattened stuffed steak
Hard-on
An erect penis; a despicable person
"Throwing " a fight
Purposefully losing a sporting event, usually for monetary gain
Madison Square Garden
A huge, famous indoor arena for sports and concerts in the New York City borough of Manhattan
Laurence Olivier
A celebrated English actor renowned for his portrayal of Shakespearean characters: King Lear, Hamlet, King Henry V, and Richard III
On the Waterfront
An Elia Kazan film starring Marlon Brando as Terry Maloy, an ex-boxer who struggles to stand up to his corrupt union boss. The film resonates with Jake, who recites the film's famous "I could have been a contender" monologue in Raging Bull.
Technical knockout (TKO)
A technical knockout (TKO) is declared when the referee decides that a contender cannot safely continue a match
"Take a dive" (boxing)
To feign a knockout; lose intentionally
