At this one Al’s Beef (italian beef sandwich shop) in Chicago, they have a picture on the wall of a bunch of kids from Little Italy in the 40’s/50’s and a plaque underneath with their nicknames, like “Shifty”, “Dirty Augie”, etc.
“...with their nicknames like “Shifty”, “Dirty Augie”, etc.”
They were so non-PC back then as the nicknames were about some physical “problem” — Augie probably was filthy — shifty couldn’t stand still, or his eyes waivered (who kowss). But I think they wore those names as a badge of honor of acceptance then grew up and became Chicago bankers (ha ha) — they were not Henry Hills thats for sure. A more innocent time — drugs hadn’t become a center point as in “Goodfellas”.