> Sorry to bother the list with something non political,
> but me and my friend are having a dispute on the
> origins of the word "Mafia"
>
> My friend claims that the word "Mafia" is an acronym
> for "Morte alla Francia Italia anela"
>
> I of course think this is silly. From my quick google
> searching the theory that the word is of Arab origin
> (meaning either "refuge" or is from the words "mu
> afah" or "strength")
>
> So who is right?
you are! It originates from the Arab word "mahjas"(boastfulness).
ciao, alessandro