Definitions for pizzo
piz·zo

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Pizzo

   In Italy, the pizzo is protection money paid by a business to the Mafia, usually coerced and constituting extortion. The term is derived from the Sicilian pizzu. To wet someone's beak is to pay protection money. The practice is widespread in Southern Italy, not only by the Sicilian Cosa Nostra, but also by the 'Ndrangheta in Calabria and the Camorra in Campania. Another etymological explanation of the term is "beakerful", referring to the right of an overseer to scoop from the grain being threshed by peasants. Paying the pizzo might also be in kind, for example by forcing a company to put someone on the payroll, compulsory provision of services by Mafia controlled businesses as well as subcontracting to Mafia controlled companies. Pizzo is distinct from "vig" which is an agreed to percentage on a transaction. Businesses that refuse to pay the pizzo may suffer harassment, including arson. In return, businesses receive "protection" and can enlist neighbourhood Mafiosi to cut through bureaucracy or resolve disputes with other tradesmen. Collecting the pizzo keeps the Mafia in touch with the community and allows it to "control their territory".

Military Dictionary and GazetteerRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. pizzo

   A city of Italy, in the Neapolitan province of Calabria Ultra II., situated on the Gulf of Santa Euphemia, 6 miles northeast from Monteleone. It was at Pizzo that Murat, the ex-king of Naples, landed with a few followers, October 8, 1815, with the view of recovering his kingdom, He was immediately taken prisoner and shot in the castle of Pizzo on the 13th. In 1860 it was taken by Garibaldi.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. pizzo

   Song lyrics by pizzo -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by pizzo on the Lyrics.com website.

Surnames Frequency by Census RecordsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. PIZZO

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pizzo is ranked #10193 in terms of the most common surnames in America.
   
   The Pizzo surname appeared 3,161 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 would have the surname Pizzo.
   
   94.7% or 2,996 total occurrences were White.
   2.9% or 94 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.
   1.3% or 41 total occurrences were of two or more races.
   0.5% or 17 total occurrences were Asian.

How to pronounce pizzo?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say pizzo in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of pizzo in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of pizzo in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of pizzo in a Sentence

1. Taryn Fenske:

   Senator Pizzo never misses an opportunity for his 15 minutes of fame and is challenging an action on an appropriation he voted for.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=pizzo
2. ^ Military Dictionary and Gazetteer
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/59563/pg59563-images.html
3. ^ Surnames Frequency by Census Records
   https://www.census.gov/topics/population/genealogy/data/2010_surnames.html