Definition

Proper noun A surname, most famously associated with James Riddle "Jimmy" Hoffa, a prominent and controversial American labor union leader.

Usage

This word is used almost exclusively as a proper noun to refer to the historical figure Jimmy Hoffa or, by extension, to his family name. * The investigation focused on the disappearance of Hoffa. * Hoffa's legacy within the Teamsters union remains a topic of debate.

Advanced Usage

• The name is often used metonymically to refer to the era of powerful, and sometimes corrupt, mid-20th century American unionism.
  • The film depicts the rough-and-tumble world of Hoffa-era labor negotiations.

Variants and Related Words

• Hoffaesque (adjective): Resembling or characteristic of Jimmy Hoffa or his methods, especially implying tough, uncompromising, or dubious labor leadership.
  • The union boss's Hoffaesque tactics drew criticism from reformers.

Synonyms

• James Riddle Hoffa, Jimmy Hoffa

Notes on Meaning

This term's primary meaning is as a surname. Its cultural significance is entirely derived from the specific historical individual, Jimmy Hoffa. It carries connotations of immense union power, alleged corruption, and one of America's most famous unsolved disappearances.

Noun

1. United States labor leader who was president of the Teamsters Union; he was jailed for trying to bribe a judge and later disappeared and is assumed to have been murdered (1913-1975)