Guinea/Ginney

Pronounced “gi-nee.” Came from “Guinea Negro” and originally referred to any Black or any person of mixed ancestry. This dates back to the 1740’s. By the 1890s it was being applied to Italians–almost certainly because they tend to have darker skin than Anglo-Saxons/Germans. By 1911 the term began being applied to Hispanics, although the reference to Italians is the most common. Derived from Sicilian immigrants who paid in Italian currency, Guineas. Used in the film ‘True Romance’ as separate from WOPs from Northern Italy, and in The Godfather by a Northern Italian character when referring to Southern Italians and Sicilians. Source on origin