Question 659

There are several theories about the origin of the term X. It may derive from the slang Arabic mahyas meaning "aggressive boasting, bragging", or marfud meanning "rejected". Roughly translated, it means swagger, but can also be translated as "boldness, bravado". In reference to a man, X in 19th century was ambiguous, signifying a bully, arrogant but also fearless, enterprising, and proud. In reference to a woman, however, the feminine-form adjective of X means beautiful and attractive.

Leopoldo Franchetti, an Italian deputy who wrote one of the first authoritative reports on the X in 1876, saw the X as an "industry of violence" and described the designation of the term X.

Id X.

Answer: Mafia