I think it's a Brooklyn thing

Posted by Word Camel on March 27, 2003

In Reply to: Fuggeddaboutit posted by Brian from Shawnee on March 27, 2003

: : writing a sociology paper for movie "Donnie Brascoe"
: : When did this phrase become common slang? Did it originate in New York?

: Usually spelled phonetically "fuggeddaboutit". It's associated with New York-area Mafia types and wannabes. I never heard it until the late 1990's, which is when Donnie Brasco was released.

It think it's simply how 'forget about it' sounds when said with a Brooklyn accent. People in other parts of the country say "forget about it" to indicate that no thanks is required too, but not perhaps so colourfully. It's more exaggerated in films for dramatic effect. Another one is "how ya doin'?"

• Slang, media images ESC 03/27/03