Goonish
/ˈɡuː.nɪʃ/noun
Resembling or characteristic of a goon; foolish, clumsy, or thuggish.
Did you know?The history of “goon” is partly mysterious: it is probably related to older American slang “gooney,” meaning a foolish person, but its ultimate origin remains uncertain.
Etymological Timeline
Late 19th Century
American English
gooney
“A foolish, stupid, or awkward person; possibly influenced by “gooney bird,” an albatross.”
Early 20th Century
American English
goon
“A slang term for a stupid or unintelligent person; the exact development from “gooney” is uncertain.”
1920s–1930s
American English
goon
“A thug or hired enforcer, especially one used to intimidate or use violence.”
1930s
American English
goon
“The word gained wider popular exposure through the brutal comic-strip character Alice the Goon in Popeye.”
Modern English
English
goonish
“Formed from “goon” plus the adjective-forming suffix “-ish,” meaning resembling or characteristic of a goon.”